1975

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 * 1975-01-05 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

No set details known. Guest performance by Bruce (and some members of The E Street Band) during a show by The Blackberry Booze Band (led by Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt). include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-01-12 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

No set details known. Guest performance by Bruce (and some members of The E Street Band) during a show by The Blackberry Booze Band (led by Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt). include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-01-19 - THE STONE PONY, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

No set details known. Guest performance by Bruce (and some members of The E Street Band) during a show by The Blackberry Booze Band (led by Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt). include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-02-05 - THE MAIN POINT, BRYN MAWR, PA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (8.10) / MOUNTAIN OF LOVE (2.56) / BORN TO RUN (4.15) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (12.26) / WINGS FOR WHEELS (5.34) / I WANT YOU (6.00) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (5.52) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.50) / GROWIN’ UP (3.10) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (3.18) / JUNGLELAND (9.26) / KITTY'S BACK (11.10) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (16.58) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.09) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.17) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT (7.13) / FOR YOU (7.03) / BACK IN THE U.S.A. (6.17)

One show, held as a benefit for the ~270-seat coffeehouse, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill. The show was emceed by DJ Ed Sciaky and began just after 9.00pm. It was broadcast by WMMR-FM, but not as a true simulcast, rather it was broadcast on about a two-hour delay the same night. Interestingly, Springsteen almost backed out of his promise to allow the show to be broadcast. He wanted to play new songs that were still unfinished - songs that may not be ready for a large radio audience. It took a concentrated effort by Sciaky on the day of the concert to talk Bruce around. An attendee review of the show from 1975 by critic David Fricke states the show took place on February 3, but this appears to be an error by Fricke given detailed interview comments by Sciaky and the recollections of other attendees. Press reports suggest that Springsteen raised over $1,000 for the Main Point.

The complete show was broadcast and the above-noted 18-song setlist represents the entire concert. Not only is it one of the longest (160 minutes) single-show gigs up to this point but it's one of the most compelling performances of Springsteen's entire career. There are spellbinding renditions of "Incident On 57th Street", "New York City Serenade" and "For You" (in the solo piano arrangement), the earliest known performances of "Mountain Of Love" and "Thunder Road" (with work-in-progress "Wings For Wheels" title/lyrics) plus a wild, majestic version of Chuck Berry's "Back In The U.S.A.". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Contrary to myth the police siren heard at the conclusion of “Incident On 57th Street” is an audio prop that had been utilized at a few of Bruce’s shows just prior to this one, i.e. it was not a real vehicle.

This famous show circulated on vinyl boots and tapes from the mid-'70s onwards, but rarely the entire show (early vinyl boots were missing the final six songs in the setlist) and always in variable quality. The entire performance was first issued in 1990 in good sound quality on the CD ‘The Saint, The Incident & The Main Point Shuffle' by the Italian label Great Dane. Soon after, an incomplete pre-FM reel of the first ninety minutes was discovered and the show was issued in improved quality on CD 'The Saint, The Incident & The Main Point Shuffle - Masters Plus' (also Great Dane), ‘You Can Trust Your Car To The Man Who Wears The Star’ (Labor of Love) and most recently (and in the finest overall quality yet) on CDR 'Prodigal Son At The Main Point' (a remaster of the Great Dane 'Masters Plus' release by Prodigal Son) and CD ‘Main Point Night’ (Crystal Cat). Part of the concert was legally released to retail in the UK in 2005 by American Legends Limited as 'Live On Air', reissued in 2007 by Storming as 'Transmissions', reissued again in 2010 by Southworld as 'Live On Air', and reissued again in 2011 by Facerock as 'The Best "Live On Air" Of Bruce Springsteen'. The complete show was released in 2011 by Left Field Media as a two-CD set titled 'Live At The Main Point, 1975', by Let Them Eat Vinyl (under exclusive agreement with Left Field Media) as a four-LP box set titled 'Live At The Main Point 1975', and in 2014 by Parallel Lines as part of a three-CD set titled 'The Spirit Of The Radio: Legendary Broadcasts From The Early 1970s' that also includes a CD containing the January 9, 1973 WBCN-FM and April 24, 1973 WMMR-FM radio broadcasts. None of these releases are officially issued by Sony, rather by enterprising record labels taking advantage of a legal loophole which allows the commercial release of pre-1992 radio broadcasts that emanate from non-signatories of the 1992 EU Copyright Convention.

As to why the audio quality of the final 63 minutes of this show (from around eight minutes into "Kitty's Back" onwards) are inferior to the first 90 minutes, it seems that the early part of the show was sourced from pre-broadcast reels (or copies of them), while the latter part of the show is sourced from a recording of the broadcast itself. In an interview in //Backstreets// magazine #82 Ed Sciaky offers some important information, "We didn't have a phone line from the Main Point, so they had to tape the show in hour-long segments and then drive them to the station and put them on the air... and after the final reel had played, Bruce's lighting guy Marc Brickman (lighting director) took all of the tapes. So we (WMMR) never got a good copy of the show”. The concert broadcast was also likely to have been subjected to some kind of auto-limiter, designed to limit the volume difference between loud and quiet segments. Unfortunately, the effect (variations in volume) is audible throughout the FM broadcast segment. In July 2011 the final 63 minutes finally emerged in improved quality, A home-taping enthusiast from Philadelphia recorded the concert on reel at 3-3/4 IPS (inches per second), and the result is a significant upgrade. The quality may not quite match the pre-FM segment, but it is the best we can expect unless a pre-FM source of the last hour should be found. A promotion-only 7” flexidisc issued to subscribers of Austrian pop magazine //Rennbahn Express// in June 1981 contains Sciaky’s introduction from this show, albeit edited to avoid references to WMMR and The Main Point.


 * 1975-02-06 - WIDENER FIELD HOUSE, WIDENER COLLEGE, CHESTER, PA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (8.26) / MOUNTAIN OF LOVE (3.12) / BORN TO RUN (4.33) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.44) / I WANT YOU / WINGS FOR WHEELS (6.18) / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / KITTY'S BACK (11.41) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (2.57) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (1.10) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (7:09) / BACK IN THE U.S.A. / FOR YOU

One show, held in the 1,500-seat Widener Field House, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill. This first of two consecutive nights at Widener was not quite a sellout. Due to the notoriously bad sound in the school's Field House, Mike Appel had engaged a local contractor to install echo-suppressing material along the walls and roof of the Gymnasium. A few hours before the show Appel learned that this material was highly flammable and a mad scramble ensued to re-position the material to be out of possible reach of the crowd. This caused the start of the opening night's show to be delayed for over 90 minutes. The material functioned reasonably well and the over-two-hour show was a roaring success. The school's newspaper reported that Suki Lahav had to be treated for exhaustion after this show, although she recuperated in time for the following night's performance. The 16-song setlist listed above is sourced from the video and newspaper reviews and may be the complete set, although it is possible that one or two songs are missing and it's likely that the order is not correct. As noted in the //Montgomery Gazette//, "Incident On 57th Street" opened the show, and a two-song encore of "Back In The U.S.A." and "For You" (played by Springsteen alone at the piano) brought the proceedings to a close. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Video from this show has been in circulation since the late 1970s (portions of the film footage are said to have been circulating among the Widener community as early as 1976) and the detail surrounding its origin has long been a source of speculation. For many years, the circulating quality of the footage was uniformly poor. However, portions of the video were shown in Springsteen TV documentaries in the '90s and the quality was significantly better than anything seen before. Since then, upgraded versions have made their way into DVD trading circles, but the quality still doesn't quite match up to what has been seen in documentaries. This has lent credence to a long-held rumour that this footage (far from emanating from a shadowy fan) may have been shot by Widener students involved in a film-making course and that there may have been some pre-arranged conditional approval to film the concert from the Springsteen camp. In truth, the two shooters, M and J, weren't students at all, but a couple of Springsteen fans, the father of one of which had purchased a Sony Portapak video recorder for use in his business. On a lark, the friends borrowed the camera and open-reel recorder and thought they would try their luck filming a show by their favorite musician, without permission. They only had enough tape and batteries to record a little over an hour, but shoot they did without incurring any unwanted attention from security or management. That clicking you hear in spots on the video is the pair shooting still photos, too, as they took turns holding up the relatively heavy video camera. The pair only ever shot one other artist before ending their careers as concert videographers. For years after the show the pair would thread up the video to show at parties and they eventually made a copy for the late WMMR DJ Ed Sciaky, from which it is presumed the circulating copies emanated. There has long been uncertainty about exactly which of the two Widener shows was filmed from the crowd. For some time it has been believed that the video was sourced from the second show (February 7), however recent comparison of the video and the newly discovered audio detailed in the February 7 listing has established that they are not sourced from the same concert. Further discussions with the filmer and the audio taper has confirmed without doubt that the video was shot at the first show (February 6). The video is comprised of the nine songs above that are listed with their running times, plus a very brief snippet from the introduction to "I Want You".


 * 1975-02-07 - WIDENER FIELD HOUSE, WIDENER COLLEGE, CHESTER, PA**

4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT / FOR YOU / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK

One show, held in the 1,500-seat Widener Field House, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill. This second night at Widener was a sellout.

The recently added setlist above is culled from a newly discovered audio recording of the encore made by another party. The new source tape starts with "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" and features a stunning solo piano version of "For You".


 * 1975-02-18 - JOHN CARROLL GYM, JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND, OH**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / GROWIN' UP / WINGS FOR WHEELS / BORN TO RUN

No other set details known. One show, with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill, and held in the 2,000-seat John Carroll University Gymnasium. This concert was originally scheduled for February 27 but moved forward due to a studio session booked at The Record Plant in New York City. Beginning at 8:30pm, the concert began with WMMS DJ Kid Leo's introduction before Springsteen's first song "Incident On 57th Street". According to the University's campus newspaper //The Carroll News//, "Growin' Up" was the third song of the set, while those present recall both "Thunder Road" (in its early "Wings For Wheels" form) and "Born To Run". A Brucebase reader who attended comments that he and his fellow University Club fraternity members sold tickets, helped set up the stage and the band's equipment, sat through the soundcheck, and ushered the concert. The event was organized by Tim Russert, a 1972 JCU graduate and former University Club president, Russert was later known in the U.S. as host of NBC-TV's "Meet The Press" and became a close friend of Springsteen's. Bruce and the band were paid $2,500 for the night's work, and Russert even worked as a roadie, helping out the fraternity members. Russert said a few years back in an interview, “I made enough money (from the concert) to pay for my second year of law school.


 * 1975-02-19 - UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY PARK, PA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / MOUNTAIN OF LOVE / BORN TO RUN / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / WINGS FOR WHEELS / SHE'S THE ONE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / JUNGLELAND / KITTY'S BACK / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE / A LOVE SO FINE / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK / FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT

One show, double bill, with Springsteen & The E Street Band headlining and Jae Mason opening. Springsteen’s first-ever show at Penn State (two scheduled appearances in 1973 had been cancelled). The above-mentioned 19-song setlist, which is likely to be complete, or near to, is taken from an attendee recollection combined with information articulated in reviews of the gig in two college newspapers. It's likely that this setlist is not in the correct song order. "For You" is performed solo piano.

No known audio.


 * 1975-02-20 - SYRIA MOSQUE, PITTSBURGH, PA**

No set details known. One show, double bill, with Springsteen & The E Street Band co-headlining with Richie Havens (who opened). This was an official school event (sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Program Council) but held off-campus in the nearby Syria Mosque. Havens and his entourage were late arriving into Pittsburgh from the previous night’s gig, so the show’s start was delayed for over an hour. Rich Engler was the promoter for the show, and in his book //Behind the Stage Door: A Promoter’s Life Behind The Scenes//, he writes:

//"I had been hearing about this act, Bruce Springsteen from Asbury Park, N.J. who was supposed to be the next big thing. John Kostick, a rep from CBS Records, played me an advance copy of “Born to Run,” and it was obvious that it was going to be a huge hit. I booked a show with Bruce at the Syria Mosque in early 1975, and in no time we had a sellout. The concert was fabulous; everything I had heard about Bruce as a performer was true. He commanded the stage and drove the fans into a frenzy. They were singing along to even the most obscure Springsteen songs, and it was obvious a star was being born. Every now and then, an act comes along that just has it all. Bruce was one of those.//

//John Kostick asked if Cindy and I would like to join him and Bruce for a bite to eat after the concert. They were headed to Cleveland for another show. I called Carmassi’s, an Italian restaurant we went to on occasion, to make sure it was going to be open late. The owner, Sonny Carmassi, assured me we could dine there. When the four of us arrived, the door was locked. I knocked, Sonny came out, looked at us, and pulled me inside the restaurant. “Listen Rich, I can let the three of you in but not that other guy. He’s not dressed properly.” Bruce was wearing a wife beater, jeans, and sandals. “What do you mean? Do you know who that is? That’s Bruce Springsteen!” “Who’s Bruce Springsteen? I don’t care who he is, he can’t come in the restaurant dressed like that.”//

//After much pleading, Sonny let us in. I told him that after we ate he should frame Bruce’s place setting, put it on the wall and people would come in just to look at it. Sonny didn’t believe that Bruce would be a superstar, however, we were able to have dinner. The waiter came and took our orders. Bruce had the most unusual order…corn on the cob for dinner and then later, apple pie.// //Shortly after that, Bruce’s picture was on the cover of// Newsweek //and// Time //magazines. I called Sonny to be sure he kept the place setting, but he hadn’t. He never realized how big a star had dined in his restaurant. We still laugh about it today."//


 * 1975-02-21 - JOHNSTON HALL, MORAVIAN COLLEGE, BETHLEHEM, PA**

Cancelled concert (due to recording sessions for the //Born To Run// album), never rescheduled. Early, pre-cancellation posters for this date exist.


 * 1975-02-23 - WESTBURY MUSIC FAIR, WESTBURY, NY**

Soundcheck: MOUNTAIN OF LOVE / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / MOUNTAIN OF LOVE / NEEDLES AND PINS / SOOTHE ME / DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82ND STREET? / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82ND STREET? / INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (total length of soundcheck is 9.33)

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (8.09) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.02) / BORN TO RUN (4.11) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (cut, 11.29) / GROWIN' UP (2.48) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (4.23) / I WANT YOU (6.10) / SHE'S THE ONE (6.06) / JUNGLELAND (9.27) / KITTY'S BACK (cut, 12.27) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (16.30) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.53) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.50) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT (8.38) / FOR YOU (7.22) / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK (2.15) / QUARTER TO THREE (5.08)

One show, double bill, with Springsteen headlining and Jae Mason opening. This is an extraordinary performance, similar in scope to the February 5 gig at The Main Point. Amazingly, it was not even close to a sellout. Westbury was a revolving stage performance (as were the 1974 Phoenix gigs). To accentuate the atmosphere Bruce ordered Mike Appel to install a functioning Ferris Wheel on stage as an effect prop, the plan was scrapped only at the last moment, after Appel told Bruce that the cost was going to be more than their performance fee. A Brucebase reader who attended comments: "the stage would turn once to the right and then back all the way to the left. Sitting in the back you had to wait for Bruce to come around again. During the encores the stage stopped, that's why you can hear people yelling 'turn the stage' near the end of the show". "Kitty's Back" includes a snippet of "Soothe Me" in the midsection. "New York City Serenade" includes a bit of "Backstreets" in the introduction. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is the solo piano version.

The above-mentioned 17-song setlist (plus soundcheck) is taken from a reasonable quality audience recording and represents the complete show. It can be found on the CDR 'Westbury Music Fair', CD "The Greatest Performance' (Parrot) and also CDR 'Westbury Serenade' (Fanatic) from the master cassettes.


 * 1975-02-27 - JOHN CARROLL GYM, JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND, OH**

Concert rescheduled to February 18 due to an already booked recording session at The Record Plant in New York City.


 * 1975-03-01 - MEN'S GYM, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, SYRACUSE, NY**

Cancelled, never rescheduled. Cancelled due to extended mixing sessions for the //Born To Run// album.


 * 1975-03-02 - PLATTSBURGH STATE UNIVERSITY, PLATTSBURGH, NY**

Cancelled, never rescheduled. Cancelled due to extended mixing sessions for the //Born To Run// album. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-03-07 - PAINTERS MILL MUSIC FAIR, OWINGS MILLS, MD**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.37) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (splice, 5.44) / BORN TO RUN / I WANT YOU (6.09) / SHE'S THE ONE (6.24) / JUNGLELAND (splice start, cut end, 9.10) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (cut in tape turn, 10.18) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.45)

One show, double bill, with Springsteen & The E Street Band headlining and Buzzy Linhart opening. "Born To Run" is the recollection of an attendee, and does not appear on the audience tape. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Brucebase reader Paul attended the show, and recalls that there were two or three guys dressed as monks in the audience. They sported Friar Tuck haircuts and wore robes, one in white and the others in brown. During one of the songs toward the end of the set, one of the brown robes came on stage and gave Bruce his knotted girth rope. In a //Baltimore Sun// interview, Bruce called him the freaky friar. Two nights later while waiting to get in outside Constitution Hall, Paul saw the group again.

Partial setlist above is from a circulating audio tape and represents about half the night's performance, missing several songs played during the middle part of the show.


 * 1975-03-08 - DAR CONSTITUTION HALL, WASHINGTON, DC**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (8:10) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE (13:18) / GROWIN' UP (3:09) / I WANT YOU (5:58) / SHE'S THE ONE (6.24) / JUNGLELAND (10.10) / KITTY'S BACK (12.22) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (19.40) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.17) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (7.01) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT (9.06) / FOR YOU (7.32) / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK (3:53) / QUARTER TO THREE (6:02)

One show, double bill, with Springsteen & The E Street Band headlining and Orleans opening. Two audience sources are known, the first four songs circulate complete from a very poor quality tape. A second very good quality source cuts in during "I Want You" and contains a further eight songs including "New York City Serenade". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is the solo piano version.

Audience tape (Unbooted). "Wear Your Ring Around My Neck" does not appear on some copies of this tape. Three separate sources appear to exist: a low quality tape comprising "Incident On 57th Street" through "I Want You", a good quality tape covering the middle of "I Want You" through "For You", and a final good quality tape of the last two songs, which is most likely of this show.


 * 1975-03-09 - DAR CONSTITUTION HALL, WASHINGTON, DC**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / I WANT YOU / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / WINGS FOR WHEELS / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK

One show, double bill, with Springsteen & the E Street Band headlining and Orleans opening. Fittingly this was the final gig of the long Wild & Innocent Tour, which had begun here in Washington way back in October 1973. A partial setlist (above) is known from attendee recollections. This would turn out to be violinist Tzruya "Suki" Lahav’s final live guest appearance with Springsteen, although she participated in the //Born To Run// studio sessions that followed this tour. Suki (along with then-husband Louis) moved to Israel permanently later in 1975. At the time of this show a few other possible concerts for March-April were being negotiated by manager Mike Appel, including one at Notre Dame University. It seems the priority of the new album sessions won out and the majority of the gig negotiations were abandoned before any contracts were signed.

No circulating audio.


 * 1975-03-13 - ALEX COOLEY'S ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA**

Cancelled show, rescheduled to August 21. One of three dates planned at the Electric Ballroom with Springsteen & the E Street Band headlining and English rock band The Pretty Things opening. Springsteen was first listed as a "Coming Soon" attraction in a January 23, 1975 advertisement in //The Signal//, student newspaper of Georgia State University. The gigs were then advertised in the February 13, 1975 issue of //The Great Speckled Bird//, an underground counter-culture newspaper based in Atlanta as well as //The Signal//. However, by the following week the dates had been cancelled, presumably due to ongoing studio sessions, with KISS taking Springsteen's place. An advertisement in the March 13 issue shows that Kiss themselves were eventually replaced by country-rock band Cowboy and undercard Isotope, a British jazz-rock band.


 * 1975-03-14 - ALEX COOLEY'S ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA**

Cancelled show, rescheduled to August 22, 1975. See above listing for details.


 * 1975-03-15 - ALEX COOLEY'S ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA**

Cancelled show, rescheduled to August 23, 1975. See March 13 listing for details.


 * 1975-05-09 - FELT FORUM, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Cancelled, never rescheduled. One show, 8pm. A Madison Square Garden "Coming Events" leaflet indicates that this show was scheduled. It was cancelled, presumably due to recording sessions for the //Born To Run// album. This date could well be one of the shows that Mike Appel was negotiating (see March 9 listing), but never signed. The leaflet advertises events from March 10, so may have been printed towards the end of February. Felt Forum was the original name for the venue now known as The Theater at Madison Square Garden.


 * 1975-07-19 - REHEARSAL ROOM, THE RECORD PLANT, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Set details unknown. The lone //Born To Run// tour rehearsal, held in a room on the floor above the Record Plant’s recording studio and condensed into one marathon 19-hour session that started at 3.00pm on July 19 and didn’t finish until 10.00am on July 20, with the opening show in Providence only ten hours away! Nagging mixing difficulties involving the //Born To Run// album had delayed the tour rehearsals until the very last minute.

Start of the "Born To Run" tour code July 20, 1975 - May 28, 1976 (116 shows)

THE E STREET BAND Bruce Springsteen (vocals, guitar, harmonica) Roy Bittan (piano, keyboards) Clarence Clemons (tenor, baritone, and soprano saxophones, backing vocals, percussion) Danny Federici (organ, accordion, glockenspiel, piano) Garry Tallent (bass, percussion) Steven Van Zandt (guitar, backing vocals) Max Weinberg (drums) code //Please note: Tour premieres for the "Born To Run" tour (including the "Chicken Scratch" and "Lawsuit" tours) are marked in **bold**, although since several setlists are unknown this information may not be correct. In some cases these will be premieres to the best of our knowledge.//


 * 1975-07-20 - PALACE CONCERT THEATRE, PROVIDENCE, RI**


 * INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET** / **SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT** / **TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT** / **GROWIN' UP** / **IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY** / **THE E STREET SHUFFLE** - HAVING A PARTY / **BORN TO RUN** / **THUNDER ROAD** / **NEW YORK CITY SERENADE** / **KITTY'S BACK** / **ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)** / **4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)** / **A LOVE SO FINE** - SHOUT / **SHA-LA-LA** / **QUARTER TO THREE**

Opening night of the Born To Run Tour and the live debut of Miami Steve Van Zandt as a member of The E Street Band (Bruce can be heard introducing Van Zandt to the audience during the show). The premiere of both "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and "Sha-La-La". "Thunder Road" is full band. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of Isaac Hayes' "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape, two sources circulate both from the master cassettes (Hopkins & Lampinski). Released on CDRs 'Introducing Miami Steve' (B Street Records) and 'Run For My Life' (Time Will Tell). CD 'A Star Is Born' (Godfather) is sourced from Dan Lampinski's master cassette recording that was released to the trading circles in June 2009.


 * 1975-07-22 - GENEVA THEATRE, GENEVA, NY**

Soundcheck: NEEDLES AND PINS / YOU REALLY GOT ME / CRY TO ME / LET THE FOUR WINDS BLOW / SOOTHE ME / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE / (YOUR LOVE KEEPS LIFTING ME) HIGHER AND HIGHER (Total Time 18.43)

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.15) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.13) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.28) / GROWIN' UP (3.11) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (4.15) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (11.04) / **SHE'S THE ONE** (4.30) / BORN TO RUN (4.01) / KITTY'S BACK (14.32) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (cut, 14.24) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (cut, 11.58) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.23) / A LOVE SO FINE - SOOTHE ME - BABY WORKOUT - SHOUT (10.32) / SHA-LA-LA (2.34) / QUARTER TO THREE (cut, 0.56)

The arrangement of “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” is different to later concert versions. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a brief "Come A Little Bit Closer" intro and a snippet of Isaac Hayes' "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection, but cuts out during the band introductions. This concert had originally been scheduled for July 12, but then moved forward to July 11. However, due to delays in completing the new album, this gig was first bumped back to July 18 and then delayed again and played on July 22. Tickets for July 12 were never used; a new set was printed for July 11 and then changed by hand. During the show Bruce jokes to the crowd about new member Miami Steve messing up his parts in the songs, lyrics and dance steps.

Audience tape of both the show and soundcheck. The circulating audience tape is missing the opening number. The soundcheck audio is very muddy but includes complete versions of The Kinks "You Really Got Me" and the great Solomon Burke's "Cry To Me".


 * 1975-07-23 - MUSIC INN, LENOX, MA**

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / SHE'S THE ONE / **GIMME THAT WINE** / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / **FUNK SONG** / KITTY'S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT / SHA-LA-LA / QUARTER TO THREE

This show includes a couple of rarities: one of only three known renditions of “Gimme That Wine” (previously played on March 10, 1974 and December 7, 1974), and secondly the first circulating in-concert performance of “Funk Song”, an early Springsteen-composed instrumental that had been a staple of The Bruce Springsteen Band in 1971-72 (no live renditions from that era are circulating, but a rehearsal take from early 1972 is). Interestingly “Funk Song” would be performed on two other known occasions during the following two weeks (July 28 and August 8), but seemingly never again after that. Unusually "Spirit In The Night" opens the set, rather than "Incident On 57th Street" which has been ever-present in the opening slot so far this year. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "Thunder Road" is full band. A Brucebase reader who attended this concert comments: “it was outdoors in a natural amphitheater. The show didn't start until just before sunset, so we were treated to this amazing changing backdrop, from full light at the outset, through a spectacular, fiery sunset and then ending up in darkness with Bruce’s typical great use of stage lighting. Bruce broke a guitar string and he didn't have any backup. That's what caused the band to perform "Gimme That Wine". While the band played Bruce re-strung his guitar on stage. Miami Steve performed the soundcheck and the first half of the show without anything on his head, don't believe that's happened since!” Click the link above for a review from Yale University's //Daily News//.

The above-mentioned 16-song setlist is the complete performance and is culled from an audience tape of average quality. The show is available in best quality on CDR 'The Complete Lenox, The Complete Makeover' (Fanatic). Some versions of this tape run fast, the aforementioned release has been speed-corrected. This show (at least in part) was filmed by early Springsteen fan Barry Rebo; with a short clip turning up in the official //Wings For Wheels// documentary DVD more than 30 years after the fact. Video of "The E Street Shuffle" was shown by Thom Zimny at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame discussion in June 2009. A clip of the band taking the stage can also be seen in //Working on a Dream: A Super Bowl Journal//, a documentary broadcast in September 2009.


 * 1975-07-25 - KEYSTONE HALL, KUTZTOWN STATE COLLEGE, KUTZTOWN, PA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT

"The E Street Shuffle" includes "It's All Right" in the introduction and "Having A Party" in the outro. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "A Love So Fine" includes a passage from the Isley Brothers' "Shout." A fan recalls "I was at either the 25 or July 26 show at Kutztown, PA. The memorable thing about this show was that they had filled the gym floor with blue folding chairs for seating. During the show everyone was standing on the chairs jumping and dancing. When the show was over at least 1/3 of the chairs had collapsed and lay in broken ruins on the floor."

Audience tape missing "Thunder Road", which is the recollection of an attendee. A low generation upgrade, though still rough, was released as part of the "DS Archives Volume 9" (mjk5510). include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-07-26 - KEYSTONE HALL, KUTZTOWN STATE COLLEGE, KUTZTOWN, PA**

Soundcheck: BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.30) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.31) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (5.40) / GROWIN' UP (2.58) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (4.15) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (slight cut, 11.32) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.26) / BORN TO RUN (4.01) / THUNDER ROAD (4.44) / KITTY'S BACK (16.44) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (cut in tape turn, 15.22) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.04) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.20) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT (9.41) / **CAROL** (4.50) / QUARTER TO THREE (3.04)

"Thunder Road" is full band. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "A Love So Fine" includes a passage from the Isley Brothers' "Shout".

Audience tape, with a lot of audience noise. Not brilliant quality but includes the first confirmed version of Chuck Berry's "Carol", although Bruce introduces the song by saying he's been playing it for ten years. Released from the Joe Kivak master tapes as 'The Wild, The Innocent & The Kutztown Shuffle'. Available on CDR 'The Wild, The Innocent & The Kutztown Shuffle' (Fanatic) from Joe Kivak's master cassettes.


 * 1975-07-28 - CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, DC**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.38) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.44) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.06) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (12.40) / GROWIN' UP (3.03) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (4.32) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.49) / FUNK SONG (7.50) / BORN TO RUN (4.21) / KITTY'S BACK (15.08) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (cut, 17.35) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (11.04) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.33) / CAROL (3.28) / A LOVE SO FINE - SHOUT (9.01)

The first of three shows at Carter Barron Amphitheatre, a 4,200-seat open-air venue located in Rock Creek Park. This show was seriously disrupted by heavy rain that delayed the start, and as a result the concert did not finish until after midnight. WHFS-FM DJ Donald “Cerphe” Colwell, who’d MC’d an in-station Springsteen performance (see listing for June 2, 1973) as well as these three shows, has commented about the infamous storm-affected show. “About an hour into his performance", said Colwell, "it began raining. This was an outdoor show and because Carter Barron is inside a National Park, everything is controlled by the U.S. Park Police. They have rules and regulations regarding shows in the rain and they wanted it stopped. Bruce paced around backstage pleading for the show to go on. The rain started and stopped three times... finally, the stage was dried off and a soaked-to-the-skin audience got the performance of their life. People who were there still e-mail or call my radio show to reminisce about that legendary, rainy night.”

Evidence strongly suggests that Cerphe's recollections are not totally accurate. Analysis of the tape, attendee recollections, and press reports indicate that the start was delayed due to torrential rainfall just as the show was about to begin, not when the show was in progress. Further rain fell just as the stage was dried off after the initial rainstorm passed, resulting in another delay before Springsteen and the band finally took to the stage at around 10-10.30pm, some two hours after the scheduled 8.30pm start time. Moisture in the air would interfere with Springsteen's guitar throughout, leading him to repeatedly apologise for delays - there was an upside to this though in an extended version of the rare 1971 instrumental "Funk Song" while he retuned his guitar. A beautiful "Incident On 57th Street" opens the set, with only Roy Bittan's piano accompanying Springsteen. Other highlights include "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and an excellent (sadly cut short) "New York City Serenade". Cerphe's story that the show was stopped is accurate and can be heard on the tape. Following "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" (which includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection) an announcement that the show is over is made from the stage. It's hard to hear the exact words, but "it's very very very late" is clear, as is "we're sorry, but we cannot offer anymore this evening". This announcement predictably provokes a strong reaction from the crowd, which apparently refused to leave. After a time, however, Bruce and the band return to the stage for a spirited three-song, twenty-minute encore. Springsteen can be heard thanking the parks department for allowing him to continue.

Please note that the setlist above was previously listed under 1975-07-29 - as the information above suggests, the date listed on 'Talent & Feeling' is incorrect.

Audience tape available on CD 'Talent & Feeling' (CU Records). An upgraded version from a second generation reel was released to collectors in 2010. Excellent sound and atmosphere for the era - the unmistakable sound of crickets chirping can often be heard, particularly during "New York City Serenade".


 * 1975-07-29 - RADIO STATION WHFS-FM, BETHESDA, MD**

Brief, 15-minute in-station interview (no musical performance) with DJ Damian Einstein (not Donald “Cerphe” Colwell as previously listed). Topics explored during the interview include the previous days rain affected show, Suki Lahav (the unprepared DJ asks if she is still playing the glockenspiel) and the explosion sound at the start of the studio take of "Lost In The Flood", Steven Van Zandt's sole contribution to //Greetings From Asbury Park, NJ//.


 * 1975-07-29 - CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, DC**

No set details known, no known audio. Second night of three at Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Rock Creek Park. Please note that the CD 'Talent & Feeling' (CU Records) is attributed to this date, however research has confirmed that tape is actually from the previous night. See that listing for details. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-07-30 - CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, WASHINGTON, DC**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.23) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.45) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.07) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (10.26) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (start cut, 4.14) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.21) / THUNDER ROAD (4.47) / BORN TO RUN (start clipped, 4.07) / **UP ON THE ROOF** (4.25) / KITTY'S BACK (start clipped, 18.38) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (start and end cut, skips, 7.28) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (heavily cut, 0.33) / CAROL / A LOVE SO FINE / QUARTER TO THREE

The third of three shows at Carter Barron Amphitheatre. Potentially complete setlist (although it is likely that "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" was played after "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)") includes what may be the first performance of The Drifters' "Up On The Roof", which Springsteen sung while sat at the lip of the stage. A beautiful arrangement with a "Thunder Road-esque" piano introduction and understated accompaniment from the band. There are only seven known performances of the song, and none after Bruce's stand at New York's Bottom Line in the middle of August 1975. The encores of "Carol", "A Love So Fine" and final song "Quarter To Three" are not included on the tape, but rather the recollections of attendees. "Thunder Road" is full band. "Incident On 57th Street" is just Roy Bittan's piano accompanying Springsteen's vocals. "Kitty's Back" includes a pronounced "Moondance" section. This tape could potentially be from the previous night, but circumstantial evidence leads us to place it here.

Audience tape of poor quality with many cuts and edits.


 * 1975-08-01 - MOSQUE THEATRE, RICHMOND, VA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / SHE'S THE ONE / THUNDER ROAD / GROWIN' UP / UP ON THE ROOF / KITTY'S BACK / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / A LOVE SO FINE - HAVING A PARTY - SHOUT / CAROL / QUARTER TO THREE

"Thunder Road" is full band. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape available on CDR 'At The Mosque Theatre' as well as a low generation tape transfer via the DS Archives - Volume 3 (mjk5510).


 * 1975-08-02 - CHRYSLER HALL, NORFOLK, VA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / SHE'S THE ONE / THUNDER ROAD / BORN TO RUN / UP ON THE ROOF / KITTY'S BACK / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (cut) / **TWIST AND SHOUT**

Incomplete setlist that includes the third of only seven known "Up On The Roof" and a very long twenty minute "Kitty's Back". "New York City Serenade" cuts short, at around ten minutes. A contributor to the Greasy Lake website recalls that "Twist And Shout" was the closing song. If accurate, this would be a tour premiere. "Thunder Road" is full band.

Audience tape, including an upgraded version from a lower generation tape source (Mjk5510).


 * 1975-08-08 - AKRON CIVIC THEATRE, AKRON, OH**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.32) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.36) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.11) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (12.43) / **THEN SHE KISSED ME** (2.50) / GROWIN' UP (3.10) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.09) / UP ON THE ROOF (4.02) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.46) / BORN TO RUN (4.07) / **BACKSTREETS** (6.41) / FUNK SONG (4.05) / KITTY'S BACK (19.30) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (17.45) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (11.33) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.16) / A LOVE SO FINE - HAVING A PARTY - SHOUT (10.57) / CAROL (4.26) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.23)

This is a healthy (and quite unique), 19-song performance and an important show in historical terms because it personifies the changing nature of the setlist that took shape in August as the //Born To Run// album neared its promotional and official release dates. First known performance of "Backstreets" and one of the last of “New York City Serenade” for the tour. It is also the last known performance of the rare instrumental “Funk Song” (previously played on July 23 and July 28). Tour premiere for "Then She Kissed Me". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape of average quality available on CDR 'Incident In Akron' as well as a superior upgraded version from a low generation tape transfer (//mjk5510//).


 * 1975-08-09 - SYRIA MOSQUE, PITTSBURGH, PA**

THEN SHE KISSED ME / UP ON THE ROOF

No other set details known. An article in the //Beaver County Times// from December 10, 1975 mentions the above two songs were performed. Singer/songwriter Joe Grushecky has mentioned in interview that this gig was the first time he'd seen Springsteen perform live, although the two were not introduced to one other until 1981.


 * 1975-08-10 - ALLEN THEATRE, CLEVELAND, OH**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.23) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.33) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.14) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (13.10) / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (7.47) / UP ON THE ROOF (4.26) / BORN TO RUN (4.14) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.32) / KITTY'S BACK (19.27) / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE (cut, 8.26) / **FOR YOU**

Set includes another appearance of "Up On The Roof" (the sixth of seven known) and the tour premiere of "For You", played by Springsteen alone at the piano. "For You" does not appear on the good quality tape, but a newspaper review confirms it was in the set.

Incomplete audience tape, cutting during "New York City Serenade" and missing the encores. Released on CDR 'The Last Serenade' and upgraded in October 2013 from a low generation reel to reel source on 'There's Room Enough For Two' (JEMS).


 * 1975-08-13 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Early (first) show: THUNDER ROAD / **WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM** / BORN TO RUN / SHE'S THE ONE / BACKSTREETS / JUNGLELAND

Late (second) show: FOR YOU (start cut) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / **NIGHT** / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (start cut) / BORN TO RUN (start cut) / SHE'S THE ONE / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

Two separate admission shows, 8:30pm and 11:30pm. Opening of an historic five-night (ten-show) residency at the club. Springsteen & The E Street Band had previously played a three-night (six-show) residency here in July 1974. Bottom Line co-owner Allan Pepper was offered the chance to host Bruce and the band at the club by Sam McKeith (Bruce's booking agent at William Morris) one morning by phone. Columbia Records bought a quarter of the 500 tickets available for the stand, a perfect opportunity to expose employees and journalists to the upcoming talent of Springsteen. There is no circulating audio of the early show on this opening night, but it is known that the show opened with "Thunder Road", played by Springsteen alone at the piano. The set also included only the second known performance of "Backstreets". In 2012 an audience recording of the late show finally emerged into the trading pool (fade outs between each track). The tape features the first known live performance of "Night", and the earliest known recording of "When You Walk In The Room". Opener "For You" is played by Bruce alone at the piano. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. Both "Kitty's Back", which includes a brief snippet of Carole King's "Nothing's Too Good For My Baby", and "New York City Serenade" are extended 19+ minute renditions. This is the last recorded and confirmed performance of "New York City Serenade" until the 1999/2000 Reunion Tour when it was resurrected with a slightly more sensible running time. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape (ODoc55), remaster available (Goody).


 * 1975-08-14 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Early (first) show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / GROWIN’ UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / NIGHT / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / QUARTER TO THREE

Late (second) show: No setlist known

Two separate admission shows, 8:30pm and 11:30pm. The second (late) show's setlist is undocumented. The first (early) show exists on a very good quality audience recording, although it's slightly marred by cuts in “She’s The One” and “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”. At the early show, "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. “Kitty’s Back” includes a brief excerpt of Carole King’s composition “Nothing's Too Good For My Baby”. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

The early show is available on the CDR boot 'Runaway American Dreams' (Doberman) and 'Night' (Fanatic) from Joe Kivak's master cassettes. There is no audio of the second (late) show in circulation.


 * 1975-08-15 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Early (first) show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / GROWIN’ UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

Late (second) show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / (GET YOUR KICKS ON) **ROUTE 66** / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / FOR YOU / THUNDER ROAD / BORN TO RUN / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / SHE'S THE ONE / NEW YORK CITY SERENADE / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT

Two separate admission shows, 8:30pm. and 11:30pm. The setlist above has been contributed to Killing Floor by an attendee.

At the early show, "Thunder Road" is performed in the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita Come Out Tonight" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. At the late show, "For You" is performed solo piano and "Thunder Road" is performed full band. The setlist would also include the only known 1975 performance of the rhythm and blues standard "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66".

In an interview with forward.com, Max Weinberg recalled an event at the Bottom Line: "On August 16, 1975, we were playing a club in Greenwich Village that is not there any longer, called the Bottom Line. In those days, we played two shows a night. Our second show was going to be live on radio station WNEW-FM. Between shows I was scouting the club for a potential close, impersonal relationship. I found a smoking hot girl. I started playing to the girl. She was picking up the beat. Bruce was ready to stop but I was the only one that missed the signal to stop. He finally stopped me by taking the drumsticks out of my hand and then pretending to choke me. Needless to say, he was not in a good mood. Bruce had given everyone in the band nicknames. Mine was Mighty Max. When he introduced the band during “Rosalita,” which was broadcast live on the radio, he introduced me as the Not So Mighty Max. After the show, I knocked on his dressing room door to apologize, feeling like a third grader called to the principal. I have never taken my eyes off since. You never know what Bruce will do on stage." It's obvious that Max's recollections are not totally accurate since the live radio broadcast took place on August 15, not 16, and was of the early show, not the late as Max stated. However, the incident during the band introductions is not apparent in the radio broadcast. It may have occurred during the late show, unfortunately there is no recording in circulation.

The first (early) show was broadcast live by New York’s influential WNEW-FM, and it was a cannibalized home taping of this show off the radio that appeared on two of the first Springsteen vinyl bootlegs 'Live At The Bottom Line 8/15/75' (unknown label) and ‘Bruce Springsteen / Live’ (Coral Records), both issued in late 1975. However these boots, as well as countless permutations of the performance that came afterwards, were heavily edited, with no in-between song chatter/stories and, in some instances, tracks missing. Forty years on the show was upgraded, for the first time ever the entire broadcast without edits, on the CDR 'The Way It Was - The Complete Bottom Line Broadcast', and subsequently CDs ‘The Punk Meets The Godfather' (Godfather), 'Vintage Broadcast 75' (None Listed) and CDR 'The Bottom Line On The Bottom Line' (Hot Stuff). A better quality yet version was released on 'From The Coastline To The City: The Pre-FM Reels" (JEMS) in 2017. No audio of the late (second) show circulates.


 * 1975-08-16 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Early (first) show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / **IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE** / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / SHA-LA-LA / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO - THUNDER ROAD / KITTY’S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / UP ON THE ROOF / QUARTER TO THREE

Late (second) show: THE E STREET SHUFFLE / JUNGLELAND

Two separate admission shows, 8:30pm. and 11:30pm. The early show is a sixteen-song set that includes the first confirmed performance of Ike & Tina Turner's early '60s hit "It's Gonna Work Out Fine". "Thunder Road" is the slow arrangement with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of Isaac Hayes's "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. There is no complete setlist known for the late show, but t he two songs listed above are from an attendee recollection. Click the link above to view some of Cliff's excellent photographs from the late show.

Audience tape for the early show (Unbooted). There is no circulating audio from the second (late) show. The first (early) show previously existed only as audience tape of less that ideal quality - muddy sounding and had incomplete recordings of “Kitty’s Back”, “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” and “Up On The Roof”. However, the complete show is now available on various CDRs including an unbooted source and more notably on 'I Was A Thriller' (Fanatic) from the master cassettes. This version is a significant audio upgrade. Some of these tracks are on the CD 'Runaway American Dreams' (Doberman).Two excellent quality 'rogue' soundboard tracks have recently surfaced among collectors and are likely to be from one of the 1975 Bottom Line shows that have not circulated on audio in any way before. Brucebase has placed this information here, but the two tracks ("Jungleland" and "The E Street Shuffle") could be from other dates at the Bottom Line. The monologue section of “The E Street Shuffle” is noticeably edited. Both tracks are available as bonus tracks on 'The Way It Was - The Complete Bottom Line Broadcast' and "The E Street Shuffle" is also a bonus track on 'Roxy Theatre Night' (Crystal Cat).

At least one show from August 16 was filmed in colour by Barry Rebo. It is unknown how much he shot. A few seconds of "Born To Run" can be seen in //Wings For Wheels//, the //Born To Run// documentary included in the 30th Anniversary box set. In addition, the complete "Thunder Road" and "When You Walk In The Room" were shown by Thom Zimny at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame discussion in June 2009. Springsteen's outfit visible in photographs of the late show match the short clip of "Born To Run", suggesting that the three tracks that are known to have been filmed were shot at the late show. It is possible that Rebo also shot other shows of the Bottom Line stand. In fact, Bottom Line co-owner Allan Pepper was interviewed in a 1995 issue of //Backstreets// magazine. In the interview Pepper says of the 1975 Bottom Line stand: "...most fans don't realize that video of those shows also exists. Bruce had the shows videotaped and he owns the tapes." Allan Pepper clearly says "shows" - this suggests that more than one show was filmed for posterity.


 * 1975-08-17 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

Early (first) show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / FOR YOU / KITTY'S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / QUARTER TO THREE

Late (second) show: TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THEN SHE KISSED ME / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / instrumental / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHA-LA-LA / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / SHE'S THE ONE / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT

Two separate admission shows, 8:30pm. and 11:30pm. The 19-song setlist above has been supplied by a contributor to Killing Floor. The identity of the "instrumental" is uncertain, but it could be "A Love So Fine". At the early show, "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "For You" is solo piano. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" features a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A fan remembers //"We had tickets for both shows on August 17 so they let us stay between shows. We grabbed the seats right at Bruce's feet for the finale. It was the first time that I noticed that Bruce's sneakers didn't match. He sang half of "Spirit In The Night" sprawled out on our table. I remember letting a photographer come in a take a bunch of photos while leaning on me and crouching between our seats. Years later I found out how good he was when I discovered the classic photo of my wife staring up at Bruce in Hilburn's book (somewhere around page 84). Rolling Stone used it for the inside cover in the Greatest Shows of All Time issue, Hendrix at Monterrey was the cover. Several years after that another shot of Christine turned up on Legends on VH-1 as well as a great shot of my best friend and I from the early show".//

The first (early) show circulates only as an audience recording, but one that seems to capture the full show - this complete audio is available on the CDR 'When You Walk In The Room’. Some of the tracks are found on the CD ‘Runaway American Dreams' (Doberman). A recent release 'Coastline To The City' on the Kivak Master Series is well worth acquiring with much improved sound quality. There is no circulating audio from the second (late) show.


 * 1975-08-21 - ALEX COOLEY'S ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA**

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / GROWIN' UP / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / TWIST AND SHOUT

No other setlist details. Opening night of a three-night, three-show residency at this newly-opened (1974) club owned by legendary Atlanta promoter Alex Cooley. Apparently after the opening night’s show Bruce approached Cooley and, as Alex has mentioned in an interview, “he asked me if we could shut down the cash registers because they were making too much noise. That’s the only time I ever did that.” The very incomplete four song setlist above is courtesy of a review in //The Great Speckled Bird//, a counterculture underground newspaper based in Atlanta from 1968 to 1976. The reviewer attended two of the three shows at the Ballroom, the final night and one other - he does not state whether the four songs above are from August 21 or August 22. The show was originally scheduled for March 13, 1975 but was moved, presumably due to recording sessions.

No audio known.


 * 1975-08-22 - ALEX COOLEY'S ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA**

No setlist details. The second night of Springsteen’s three-night residency at the club. Show was originally scheduled for March 14, 1975 but was moved, presumably due to recording sessions.

No audio known.


 * 1975-08-23 - ALEX COOLEY'S ELECTRIC BALLROOM, ATLANTA, GA**

SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / **DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82ND STREET?** / IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THEN SHE KISSED ME / FOR YOU / KITTY’S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / TWIST AND SHOUT

Final night of Springsteen’s three-night stint at the club. First confirmed "Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?" for the tour, and last known "Then She Kissed Me" until 2008. As throughout the tour, "For You" is solo piano. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Soundboard tape. The above-mentioned 15-song setlist is taken from a soundboard recording of one of the three Electric Ballroom shows during this residency - the specific show has yet to be positively identified but it is now generally listed by the collector community under the final night of August 23. The tape begins with "Spirit In The Night", but in all likelihood "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" actually opened but is missing from the circulating recording. Aside from the absent opener, the set above is probably complete. This audio has a long, somewhat disjointed collector history - nine of the tracks first appeared in the '80s on a vinyl bootleg called ‘Atlanta Georgia 1975' (no label). Years later a few more tracks from the show appeared on the CD boot 'It's Gonna Work Out Fine' (Scorpio). More recently all fifteen known songs from the show have appeared on the CD boot 'Sparks On The Ballroom' (Godfather) and in best quality on the CD 'Watch Out For The Monster Bag' from the ER Archives via JEMS, sourced from a probable second generation reel-to-reel source. However it should be noted that there have always been significant flaws in the source tape of this show available to bootleggers - both "Born To Run" and "She's The One" suffer from wobble and several other songs (“4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)”, “The E Street Shuffle”, “It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City” and “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”) suffer from nuisance edits and cuts. Show was originally scheduled for March 15, 1975 but was moved, presumably due to recording sessions.


 * 1975-08-29 - UNIVERSITY CENTER PATIO, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, MIAMI, FL**

Cancelled concert, never rescheduled. Outdoor event due to start at 8.00pm. Exact reason why the concert was cancelled is unclear, Miami University's student newspaper indicates it was a scheduling issue, with Bruce and the band planning to tour in Europe. However, this doesn't quite gel with Springsteen's touring schedule as we know it. Springsteen cancelled despite signing a contract.


 * 1975-08-31 - THE BOARDWALK, ASBURY PARK, NJ**

Phil Ceccola conducts an extensive interview and photo session with Springsteen while the two of them walk around town together, with Bruce acting as historian and tour guide. The interview was never published, although some of Ceccola’s photos from the afternoon were.


 * 1975-09-04 - THE MAIN POINT, BRYN MAWR, PA**

BORN TO RUN

Prior to the resumption of the southern leg of the //Born To Run// tour Springsteen was giving media interviews in New York and Philadelphia to coincide with the //Born To Run// album release. Bruce paid a visit to the Main Point during a Jackson Browne residency. Browne was expanding on the example set by Springsteen earlier in the year (February 5) and was performing a five-night/ten-show solo benefit (starting on September 3) for the financially struggling club. Springsteen may have been present on the opening night but he definitely did not perform. However on the second night (Thursday, September 4) Bruce took the stage during Browne’s show and performed a solo acoustic rendition of “Born To Run”. There is no evidence that the sometimes noted “Thunder Road” was performed on this night or any other night during Browne’s residency. A brief report in The Villanovan student newspaper does note that Springsteen performed "a few brief numbers", so it is likely that there are other songs we don't know about. Springsteen was not present at Browne’s final show (September 7) which was simulcast on WMMR-FM and is widely circulating on boots.

No circulating audio.


 * 1975-09-06 - THEATRE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, NEW ORLEANS, LA**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / SHA-LA-LA / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT (with Boz Scaggs)

Bruce's first ever appearance in Louisiana. Boz Scaggs guests on guitar and backing vocals for the closing "Twist And Shout. The end of "The E Street Shuffle" includes a line from "Pretty Flamingo", which will debut the following week in Houston. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals."Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A photo taken at this show is later used to promote the May 13, 1976 show in New Orleans.

Audience tape.


 * 1975-09-07 - YA YA LOUNGE, NEW ORLEANS, LA**

No set list details known. One show - and truly unique, as the entire E Street Band give a full-length performance without Springsteen. This gig was organized by Miami Steve and advertised as The E Street Band (minus Bruce). In exchange Lee Dorsey (owner of the club) had agreed to provide guest vocals on the debut Southside Johnny album that Van Zandt was to start producing in December. Brucebase reader Wayne comments: //“Miami Steve led the band to open the show singing a few '50s rock & roll songs. Then Lee Dorsey came out and they backed him on a few of his hits. During the break I remember talking to Garry Tallent and I asked him where Bruce was and he told me that Bruce had travelled on ahead to the next city”.//


 * 1975-09-09 - ELECTRIC BALLROOM, DALLAS, TX**

Cancelled show, potentially rescheduled and moved to the Dallas Convention Center Theater on September 16. This date is known from a promotional radio spot that was aired on Dallas's KZEW in the weeks leading up to the scheduled date. The Electric Ballroom was a dance hall located in the industrial district of Dallas, and it seems plausible that demand led the show to be moved to the larger Theater in downtown Dallas.


 * 1975-09-11 - TEXAS HALL, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON, TX**

Cancelled show, never rescheduled. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-09-12 - MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, AUSTIN, TX**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (6.05) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.48) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.49) / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (6.07) / GROWIN' UP (3.04) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.49) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (21.04) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.33) / BORN TO RUN (4.06) / THUNDER ROAD (5.12) / KITTY'S BACK (fades, 17.10) / JUNGLELAND (9.00) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.26) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (start cut, 5.00) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.19) / TWIST AND SHOUT - SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME (start cut, 4.42)

"Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Kitty's Back" includes the spaceship story (which runs for 3.45) and the track fades out at the end. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Soundboard tape which can be found on CD 'Austin 1975' (Whoopy Cat). Upgraded version released in September 2014 from the ER Archives via JEMS, sourced from second-generation reels.


 * 1975-09-13 - MUSIC HALL, HOUSTON, TX**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.34) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.40) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.36) / **PRETTY FLAMINGO** (6.31) / GROWIN' UP (3.05) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.41) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (23.01) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.34) / BORN TO RUN (4.15) / THUNDER ROAD (5.17) / KITTY’S BACK (cut, 17.17) / JUNGLELAND (8.51) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (11.01) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (cut, 6.17) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.39) / CAROL - LUCILLE (6.49) / TWIST AND SHOUT

Earliest known complete "Pretty Flamingo", previously it had only been used as part of other songs. Opener "Incident On 57th Street" and "Thunder Road" are slow versions with Roy on piano and Bruce on vocals and, for the latter, harmonica. "Kitty’s Back" includes some of Carole King’s composition “Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby”. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. The encores include an unusual medley of “Carol” and “Lucille”. //NME// reviewer Charles Shaar Murray writes of "Spirit In The Night": "...sitting there dangling his legs off the edge, and as he comes to the line "Ran into the lake in just his socks and his shirt", he changes "lake" to "pit" and – kthunk – right on the word "pit" he drops down into the photo pit (which doesn't actually have any photographers in it, just a coupla black cops looking totally confused). The words "in his socks and shirt" come with agonised slowness from nowhere – no-one can see him, where the hell did that sonovabitch get to? – until you see fingers clawing at the other lip of the pit and arms reach down and haul Springsteen up until he's perched, on the edge right up against the front row. He turns his head and peeks over his leather shoulder with a real sly "Heyyyyyyyyy, man" street grin, and wriggles out of the front row's clutches, drops back into the pit and hauls himself back on to the stage just as we band rampages back into the chorus with Springsteen wildly strutting back and forth across the stage."

Soundboard audio. Audio is available on the CDs ‘Music Hall' (All of Us) and ‘Thank You Houston' (Parrot). Upgraded version 'So Dark Tonight' released February 2014 from the ER Archives via JEMS. There is also twelve minutes of silent Super-8 color film footage of snippets of seven songs from this show in circulation. The seven songs featured are "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Spirit In The Night", "Growin' Up", "The E Street Shuffle", "She's The One", "Born To Run", and "Kitty's Back". The film excerpts have been ‘married’ to this show’s previously circulating audio and is available on the DVD ‘Bruce Springsteen: 8MM’ (Brucevideos Productions).


 * 1975-09-14 - MUSIC HALL, HOUSTON, TX**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / A LOVE SO FINE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE / TWIST AND SHOUT

The last known "A Love So Fine" until its resurrection over 20 years later for the Reunion tour, in its slight lyric/title variant "So Young And In Love". "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.

According to a fan who was there, the last track was played after the house lights came on. Bruce came back on stage with the line "Hey! Where ya going? We ain't done yet!" . No tape has ever surfaced for this show.


 * 1975-09-16 - DALLAS CONVENTION CENTER THEATER, DALLAS, TX**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK - NOTHING'S TOO GOOD FOR MY BABY / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE / CAROL

Bruce sings the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction to "Spirit In The Night". "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape. Two recording sources circulate, a low generation source was put into circulation in August 2015 via the 'DS Archives - Volume 4' (mjk5510). This release is a huge upgrade and for the first time contains "Growin' Up", missing on all other releases. A second incomplete source of lesser quality is in circulation via the 'DS Archives - Volume 5' (mjk5510). "She's The One" is not included on any versions but the audio evidence on the newest release points to a strong possibility it was either not played at this show or was played in a different slot and missed by the taper. It has long been rumored a soundboard is in limited circulation but the circulating soundboard tape is actually the common Austin soundboard incorrectly dated.


 * 1975-09-17 - CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK**

No set details known. Bruce's first ever appearance in Oklahoma. Celebrations backstage after the show as Bruce and the boys are informed that the //Born To Run// album has gone to #1 on some U.S. Charts. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-09-19 - MILO BAIL STUDENT CENTER BALLROOM, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA, OMAHA, NE**

Concert rescheduled to September 30 and moved to the larger Civic Auditorium Music Hall in downtown Omaha. See that listing for more information.


 * 1975-09-20 - DARBY GYMNASIUM, GRINNELL COLLEGE, GRINNELL, IA**

Soundcheck: PRETTY FLAMINGO

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY’S BACK / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

Held in the school’s 1,000-seat Darby Gymnasium, with only 200 seats available to the non-student public. Bruce's first ever appearance in Iowa. There were wildfire rumors in the weeks leading up to this concert that hundreds of crazed New York and New Jersey Springsteen fanatics were planning on traveling 1,200 kilometers to sleepy Grinnell to gate crash the sold-out show. The event quickly became dubbed as 'The Springsteen Invasion' (note the pre-event promo cartoon above). Fearing trouble college officials hired a large contingent of police and security officers to keep order. It turned out to be a hoax, as no undesirables turned up and the concert went off without incident - and to overwhelming praise.

Complete setlist for this show is not known. The above-mentioned eleven songs are culled from an attendee recollection combined with titles articulated in a post concert review of the show in the student newspaper. The titles are in the correct performing order but there were four or five additional songs sandwiched among them. “Pretty Flamingo” was played at the soundcheck but not during the show. "Incident On 57th Street" is semi-solo; "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. Springsteen went into the crowd during “Spirit In The Night”. During “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)", which featured the “Come A Little Bit Closer” intro, Bruce jumped (the student newspaper says “fell”) off the stage into the crowd. Carlson Smith, a co-organizer of the event, has told Brucebase that Springsteen’s services were procured for only $2,500, further adding “we signed the deal the previous June, just before leaving for summer vacation. It probably would have been easy for Bruce to get out of the contract, as by this time they were getting a much higher appearance fee. His management should be commended in honoring their commitment to us. When they arrived they actually seemed eager and happy to play.”

No known audio.


 * 1975-09-21 - GUTHRIE THEATER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN**

INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (7.31) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.43) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.49) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (7.51) / GROWIN' UP (cut, 2.52) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (cut, 4.59) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (cut in tape turn, 23.19) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.38) / BORN TO RUN (4.11) / BACKSTREETS (6.41) / THUNDER ROAD (6.00) / KITTY'S BACK (cut, 17.42) / JUNGLELAND (very cut, 0.17) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (cut, 4.54) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.39)

A sellout and a very rare treat for the lucky 1,800 attendees - this was a genuine “theatre-in-the round” stage set up and performance. Bruce's first ever appearance in Minnesota. Show features a very long “The E Street Shuffle”, the reappearance of "Backstreets" (last played during the Bottom Line stand in August), and Manfred Mann's "Pretty Flamingo". Bruce sings the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction to "Spirit In The Night". "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.

Audience tape available as 'Minneapolis Shuffle', but unfortunately of not great quality and featuring numerous edits. In July 2015, a new transfer of improved quality from a second generation tape was released via the DS Archives - Volume 2 (mjk5510).


 * 1975-09-23 - HILL AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ANN ARBOR, MI**

THUNDER ROAD (5.23) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.47) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.50) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (7.30) / GROWIN' UP (3.02) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.44) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (cut, 18.15) / SHA-LA-LA (2.40) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.38) / BORN TO RUN (4.04) / BACKSTREETS (6.47) / KITTY'S BACK - NOTHING'S TOO GOOD FOR MY BABY (cut, 17.21) / JUNGLELAND (9.18) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.58) / **DETROIT MEDLEY** - BACK IN THE U.S.A. (slight cut, 7.16) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.43) / QUARTER TO THREE (cut, 6.49) / CAROL (cut, 6.05) / TWIST AND SHOUT (cut, 4.04)

Held in the school’s Hill Auditorium. Bruce’s 26th birthday and he delivers an extra special performance, among the best on the Born To Run Tour. Unfortunately the circulating audio ("Ann Arbor 1975") doesn’t do the show justice. "Thunder Road" is the opening song in the slow arrangement featuring Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals, the introduction to "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines of Lloyd Price's 1958 hit "Stagger Lee", "Kitty's Back" contains a snippet of "Nothing's Too Good For My Baby", "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" starts off with "Come A Little Bit Closer" and includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection, "Quarter To Three" is played, stopped, started up again, stopped and started up again a final time, and the first known "Detroit Medley" contains a short piano solo by Roy during "Jenny Take A Ride", includes "Back In The U.S.A." and does not return to "Devil With The Blue Dress" before it ends. Click the link above to read an interesting review of the show from The Michigan Daily, which includes the final sentence "...another step towards the day when the name Bruce Springsteen will become a household word."

Audience tape (Unbooted).


 * 1975-09-25 - AUDITORIUM THEATRE, CHICAGO, IL**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / PRETTY FLAMINGO / GROWIN’ UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / SHA-LA-LA / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / BACKSTREETS / KITTY’S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

A possibly complete seventeen song setlist is known, thanks to a combination of audience recollections and newspaper reports. Opening song "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.

No known audio. Nearly fourteen minutes of silent, Super-8, color film footage exists from this show, encompassing excerpts from nine of the seventeen songs in the above-noted setlist ("Pretty Flamingo" or "Quarter To Three", both mentioned as having been played in newspaper reviews, are not part of the film footage). This silent film footage has been ‘married’ to previously circulating audio of the respective songs from the September 23 and September 26, 1975 shows and is available on the DVD ‘Bruce Springsteen: 8MM’ (Brucevideos Productions).


 * 1975-09-26 - HANCHER AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, IOWA CITY, IA**


 * MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER** (start cut) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN (end cut) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (start cut) / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND (break in middle) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / QUARTER TO THREE

One of the first known versions of "Meeting Across The River" to be played. "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet from "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Soundboard tape (Sciaky) released on 'Iowa Shuffle' (ROC ROC). Also available on CD 'Live Songs' (Supersonic). In 2007 the soundboard tapes formerly owned by Ed Sciaky have circulated representing the best available quality to date. Held in the school’s Hancher Auditorium. "Jungleland" seems to be missing on circulating tapes, but the first few bars of the track can be heard before the tape cuts to "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)". Released on CD 'Meeting Across The River' (Piggham), which has a fair amount of "Jungleland" on it.


 * 1975-09-27 - AMBASSADOR THEATRE, ST. LOUIS, MO**

MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (cuts) / PRETTY FLAMINGO / SHE'S THE ONE / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / BORN TO RUN / NIGHT / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY

Bruce's first confirmed appearance in Missouri. Show includes another "Meeting Across the River", the rare "desert" intro to "Kitty's Back" and a record length "The E Street Shuffle". "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape released on CDR 'Cause Tonight We Got Style'.


 * 1975-09-28 - MEMORIAL HALL, KANSAS CITY, KS**

MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER (3.01) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.40) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.46) / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (7.49) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.45) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.54) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (cut, 24.35) / BORN TO RUN (4.12) / NIGHT (2.48) / BACKSTREETS (6.50) / KITTY'S BACK (17.32) / JUNGLELAND (cut, 8.34) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.14) / DETROIT MEDLEY (4.05) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.42) / QUARTER TO THREE (7.04)

Bruce's first ever appearance in Kansas. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes an instrumental snippet of "Kansas City" in the introduction, followed by the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Attendance was 1,450.

Audience tape - good quality but with most of the comments between songs edited out. Released on CDR 'Hey KC Can You Catch Us A Ride'.


 * 1975-09-30 - CIVIC AUDITORIUM MUSIC HALL, OMAHA, NE**

MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK

No other set details known. Bruce's first ever appearance in Nebraska. An attendee recalls that "Meeting Across The River" opened the show, and "Backstreets" was also performed. The concert was originally scheduled to be held on September 19 at the Milo Bail Student Center at the University of Nebraska, but due to demand was moved to the Music Hall venue attached to the Civic Auditorium in downtown Omaha. Tickets for university students were $3.00 and paid attendance was 1,645. A newspaper review of the show also mentions that "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and "Kitty's Back" were played - the article goes into some detail about the concert, click the link above to read it. At this point in 1975 the hype machine had really started to build momentum, just a month before the Time / Newsweek covers. Jim Recalls: //"Bruce was heckled by audience members perhaps not convinced that Springsteen deserved the hype, but by the end of the show he had won the crowd over".//

No known audio.


 * 1975-10-02 - UPTOWN THEATRE, MILWAUKEE, WI**

MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER (start cut, 2.53) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.43) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.20) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (8.48) / SHE’S THE ONE (5.03) / BORN TO RUN (4.11) / THUNDER ROAD (5.33) / extended bomb scare interruption/intermission / **LITTLE QUEENIE** (fades in, 8.43) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (24.40) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.20) / SHA-LA-LA (2.49) / KITTY'S BACK (18.34) / JUNGLELAND (9.41) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.40) / DETROIT MEDLEY (4.11) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.40) / QUARTER TO THREE (7.20)

Bruce's first ever appearance in Wisconsin is the famous 'bomb scare show'. Just 45 minutes into the concert a bomb threat is phoned in to the theatre, and the night's MC Bob Reitman (disc jockey for WQFM) is forced to enter the stage after "Thunder Road" (which is the slow version featuring Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals) to inform the crowd of the threat, asking them to return in three hours time. The police search the theatre and find no bomb, so the band return at midnight for another two hours on stage. Bruce and the boys passed the time during the delay in a nearby bar (according to Bruce, the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee) and as the show gets back underway it's evident that Bruce has had a few drinks - repeatedly and hilariously asking the audience "are you loose?!" during an outrageous "Little Queenie" (the first circulating version of this song with the E Street Band - click the link above to hear it). There is also an exceptionally long rendition of "The E Street Shuffle" that includes a 14-minute introduction. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" intro and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Click the link above to read a pair of news articles with a little more detail about the events.

OnMilwaukee.com has a great article with interviews from Garry Tallent, Bob Reitman and many others who were there that night, and more details than can be fit here. Click here to view.

Audience tape and partial soundboard of the second set. Available on CDs ‘Milwaukee Bomb Scare Show’ (Mistral), ‘We Had Too Much To Drink Tonight' (Scorpio) and in best quality from the ER Archives via JEMS titled 'Somebody Tried To Blow Us Up Tonight'. Segments of the second set also exist on audience shot 8mm amateur film. The pre-bomb scare part of the show circulates only as an audience recording - however the remainder of the performance is circulating as a pro-recorded soundboard.


 * 1975-10-04 - MICHIGAN PALACE, DETROIT, MI**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (4.02) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.07) / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (7.17) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.51) / BORN TO RUN (4.31) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (13.58) / BACKSTREETS (5.24) / KITTY'S BACK (19.13) / JUNGLELAND (10.08) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (cut, 10.55) / DETROIT MEDLEY (5.17) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (7.39) / **AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG** (3.26) / QUARTER TO THREE (7.55) / LITTLE QUEENIE (8.58) / TWIST AND SHOUT (7:10)

Set opens with "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" and includes an exceptional encore with a very spirited "Detroit Medley", the first rendition of The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" (sung as a duet with Miami Steve) and the second of three tour performances of "Little Queenie". "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Bruce would later comment that this night was the first time in his life that he did not want to get up on stage. In an interview with Robert Hilburn for the //Los Angeles Times//, Bruce felt that the promotion for //Born To Run// was overwhelming him. "I felt that I had lost a certain control of myself", he told Hilburn, "There was all the publicity and all the backlash. I felt that the thing I wanted most in my life - my music - being swept away and I didn't know if I could do anything about it. I could see how people get into drinking or drugs, because the one thing you want at a time like that is to be distracted - in a big way I was lucky. I had my band, which was people I had grown up with." As a side note, this story has occasionally been incorrectly attributed to Bruce's February 15, 1977 show in Detroit, particularly in Rob Kirkpatrick's //Magic in the Night: The Words and Music of Bruce Springsteen//. However, Hilburn's original article is clearly referring to this show. A critical ear could perhaps detect a slight drop in the energy of Springsteen's performance compared to other shows around this time, although the encore is one of the best of the tour to date. It's interesting that Bruce chose to open with the upbeat "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", instead of the usual "Meeting Across The River", "Thunder Road" or "Incident On 57th Street", all played in slow, downbeat arrangements.

Soundboard and audience recordings. The soundboard recording is available on the CD releases 'First Night in Detroit' (Midnight Beat) and 'Walk Like The Heroes' (Anubis), both releases have pitch issues throughout. A very good audience recording surfaced in October 2015 from a first generation tape and is available via the 'DS Archives Volume 7' (mjk5510). An upgraded low generation reel source of the soundboard tape was recently released as part of the 'ER Archives Volume 13' (JEMS). This new version is pitch corrected and "Backstreets" has been patched with the recently discovered audience source but the end of "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" remains cut.


 * 1975-10-10 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

Cancelled show (before any advertising took place or tickets sold), rescheduled to the following night. The original intention was to play single show gigs on October 10 and 11. This was then changed to a two-show booking on October 11. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-10-11 - MONMOUTH ARTS CENTER, RED BANK, NJ**

Early (first) show: MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / NIGHT / KITTY'S BACK / THUNDER ROAD / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY)

Late (second) show: INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET (5.26) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.32) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.18) / IT’S GONNA WORK OUT FINE (6.34) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.31) / BORN TO RUN (4.03) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE (18.26) / BACKSTREETS (6.22) / KITTY'S BACK (17.33) / JUNGLELAND (9.05) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.46) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.13) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.42) / CAROL (with David Sancious) (6.12) / DETROIT MEDLEY (5.35)

Two separate admission shows (8:30pm and 12:00am), with Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill and the building marquee proclaiming 'The Homecoming'. As is so often the case with Bruce’s pre-1976 gigs, the fact that there were two shows on the same night has caused its fair share of confusion through the years. The partial setlist from the early show listed above is from post-concert reports and from a fan present who also recalls that most of the photos in the Newsweek articles came from these shows. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. David Sancious guests on piano during "Carol". The introduction to "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines from Lloyd Price's 1958 #1 hit "Stagger Lee". "The E Street Shuffle" is the slow version but, unusually, does not include "Having A Party". As he did at several shows during this part of the tour, Bruce incorporates a small snatch of Jay & The American’s hit “Come A Little Bit Closer” into the start of “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”, before which Roy plays a few snippets including a bit of "The Godfather Love Theme"; the song also includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

There is no audio from the early show in circulation. The 15-song late show setlist is taken from a long-circulating audience recording of good (but not very good) quality and represents the complete show. An incomplete eight-song soundboard of this late show first surfaced on a CDR title called 'Last Homecoming Before The Hype'. In 1996 a complete soundboard of the late show was released on the CD 'The Homecoming' (E ST.). One or both of the "Homecoming" shows was filmed in black and white by Barry Rebo. Footage can be seen in //Wings For Wheels//, the documentary on the making of //Born To Run//, and in //The Promise//, the //Darkness On The Edge Of Town// documentary. In addition, "Kitty's Back" was in the archive reel footage at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame exhibition in Cleveland and also shown to the public at "An Evening With Thom Zimny" at Monmouth University on September 23, 2014, along with footage of Danny Federici vamping on accordion during a soundcheck performance of "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)". It has been confirmed by comparing audio recordings that this film of "Kitty's Back" is from the early show. However, it remains a possibility that the film of "Jungleland" that can be seen on //Wings For Wheels// may be from the late show.


 * 1975-10-16 - THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / PRETTY FLAMINGO / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / **GOIN’ BACK** / DETROIT MEDLEY

This was the opening of a four-night (six-show) residency at the club. This first night was a single show and, unknown to Bruce, Colombia Records had reserved many of the seats for media and industry people - a situation that Springsteen gradually became aware of during the show (by the lack of the usual audience enthusiasm) and one that he was very miffed about after the show and then mentioned to the audience at the following night’s shows. The above-noted setlist, culled from assorted (glowing) media reviews of the show, is believed to be missing two or three songs. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. Songwriter Carole King was present at this show and Springsteen premiered and dedicated a heartfelt rendition of her 1966 song “Goin' Back” to her. Other luminaries present include Jack Nicholson, Peter Boyle, Robert de Niro, Jackson Browne, Jim Messina and Neil Diamond. It may have been at this show that de Niro heard Springsteen's "you talkin' to me?" schtick that he later famously improvised in //Taxi Driver//. In October 2007 Springsteen dedicated "Meeting Across The River" to Peter Boyle on what would have been his 72nd birthday (he died in December 2006), saying that they met for the first time in New York City.

A fan present at all the shows remembers //"I believe it was a Columbia Records event that certainly included people from Billboard as well as anyone in the music press that would come. LA was pretty cool to Bruce before these shows and Columbia was pushing hard to get the industry folks to see him. Bruce certainly had no cult following on the West Coast, as we didn't see any of the same people up at the front of the stage from show to show. After the single show on Sunday night, my wife and I were at an IHOP on Hollywood Blvd. for a really early breakfast, when who comes in but Bruce, Mike Appel and their ladies. Bruce looked at us, laughed and said something like "I can't shake you guys". We let him eat his pancakes in peace. The next day, we bumped into the rest of the band at Disneyland! No one else seemed to have a clue who they were!"//

No circulating audio.


 * 1975-10-17 - THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA**

Early (first) show: THUNDER ROAD (5.30) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.44) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.43) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (10.57) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.31) / BORN TO RUN (4.04) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (7.32) / BACKSTREETS (6.40) / KITTY'S BACK (18.18) / JUNGLELAND (9.04) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.51) / GOIN' BACK (5.04) / DETROIT MEDLEY (6.17)

Late (second) show: THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BACKSTREETS / KITTY’S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / GOIN’ BACK / DETROIT MEDLEY

Two separate admission shows. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals at both shows. At the early show, Bruce sings the opening of "Stagger Lee" as an introduction to "Spirit In The Night". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection at both shows.

The first (early) show was broadcast live on KWEST-FM, the audio of which is available on boot CDs 'Backstreets' (Chapter One), ‘Ain't Nobody Here From Billboard Tonight' (Moonlight), ‘The Roxy Road’ (Dynamite Studio), ‘Down In Roxyland' (Z005) and in improved quality as 'Roxy Theatre Night' (Crystal Cat). An audience recording of the late show is available from CB's aka: Mr Anonymous master cassettes which runs slightly slow (Fanatic) as well as a more recent upgraded pitch adjusted transfer from the master cassettes titled 'Watch Me Now' via JEMS. The two-LP 'There Ain't Nobody Here From Billboard Tonight' (HAR) was one of the very first vinyl bootlegs, issued in late October 1975, just a few weeks after the show took place. This release was repressed many times by various labels and under different titles.


 * 1975-10-18 - THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA**

Early (first) show: THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BACKSTREETS / KITTY’S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / GOIN’ BACK / CAROL

Late (second) show: THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / PRETTY FLAMINGO / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BACKSTREETS / KITTY’S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / GOIN’ BACK / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Two separate admission shows. At both shows, "Thunder Road" is performed in the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals, and "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. At the late show, "Spirit In The Night" features the "Stagger Lee" introduction.

An audience recording of the early show circulates on CDR (Unbooted) and also on 'Goin' Back To 1975 - The Lost Show' (Fanatic), which is a transfer from the master cassettes. The late show also circulates on an audience tape (Unbooted) that is missing "Jungleland". In 2016 JEMS released an upgraded, pitch-adjusted version of both shows transferred from CB's master tapes titled 'Hit Me With A Double Shot' (featuring the complete late show). The first (early) show was also professionally audio recorded by Springsteen’s team, however only "Thunder Road" has ever surfaced - officially issued by CBS on the 1986 //Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band / Live 1975-85// boxed set. It has long been rumored that director Arnold Levine (who had previously filmed Bruce’s May 1, 1973 Los Angeles concert) filmed one or both of these October 18 shows, although none of this alleged Roxy footage has ever surfaced. Interestingly semi-pro filmmaker (and Springsteen friend) Barry Rebo also confirmed in a 2005 interview that he filmed Springsteen during this Roxy residency, although Rebo gave no specific details.


 * 1975-10-19 - THE ROXY THEATRE, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA**

THUNDER ROAD (5.16) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.42) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.17) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (14.24) / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM (3.10) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.44) / BORN TO RUN (cut, 2.01) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.29) / BACKSTREETS (7.03) / KITTY'S BACK (end slightly cut, 16.35) / JUNGLELAND (8.58) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.43) / GOIN' BACK (cut, 4.08) / DETROIT MEDLEY (6.41) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.08) / CAROL (6.20)

Final show of the four-night (six-show) residency at the club. This final night was only a single show. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. Bruce sings the opening lines to "Stagger Lee" as an introduction to "Spirit In The Night". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A Brucebase reader who attended comments: //"The October 19 show was clearly the high point of Bruce's four night stand. It features far and away the best "The E Street Shuffle" I've ever experienced. He got the crowd singing along and just played it from there. It's right up there with some of the moments during the (early 1975) Westbury show”.// During "Spirit In The Night" Bruce steps out into the audience. Someone close shouts "over here!" to Bruce several times, where Bruce's reply is "you're on the wrong side".

Audio circulates as an audience recording, 'Last Night At The Roxy' (Racing In The Street) and 'Yes, We're Talkin To You' (Fanatic) of reasonable quality, if not somewhat marred by audio cuts in "Born To Run", "Kitty's Back", and "Goin' Back". In 2016 JEMS released an upgraded, pitch adjusted version of this recording titled 'On The Mean Streets Of Hollywood'.


 * 1975-10-23 - GERDE'S FOLK CITY, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

With a five-day break in the West Coast leg of the tour, Bruce flies to New York to attend a surprise, 61st birthday party for Gerde’s Folk City owner Mike Porco (who hired Bob Dylan for his first New York club gigs in 1961). Dylan turned up with a film crew as well as Joan Baez and other members of his soon-to-tour Rolling Thunder Revue. This was the first time Springsteen and Dylan had met and both formed part of a communal group that performed a filmed rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Porco. Brief audio-video excerpts of this event are seen in Dylan’s 1978 movie “Renaldo & Clara”, though no footage of Springsteen is seen - the “Happy Birthday” segment remains in the vaults. Allegedly it was at this party the Dylan invited Springsteen to join the Rolling Thunder Revue, with Bruce allegedly turning the offer down due to his own tour commitments coupled with the fact that he wouldn’t be able to use the E Street Band for his guest spots in Dylan’s show. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-10-25 - PARAMOUNT THEATRE, PORTLAND, OR**

No set details known. Bruce’s first-ever appearance in Oregon but a somewhat disappointing turnout nevertheless - about 30% of the tickets remained unsold. According to a Portland journalist who attended most of the balcony area was empty.


 * 1975-10-26 - PARAMOUNT NORTHWEST THEATRE, SEATTLE, WA**

BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE / CAROL / TWIST AND SHOUT

This Seattle gig was a sellout, unlike the previous night’s weak attendance in Portland. Bruce's first ever appearance in Washington. Bruce can be heard thanking the crowd and mentioning this is his first-ever concert in Seattle (a scheduled appearance in early March 1973 had been cancelled). "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano.

Partial setlist (above) is known from a circulating audience tape.


 * 1975-10-28 - UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, EUGENE, OR**

Cancelled Springsteen concert, never rescheduled. Information is sketchy but it would appear this gig was cancelled prior to any public promotion for it taking place or any tickets going on sale. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-10-29 - SACRAMENTO MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, SACRAMENTO, CA**

THUNDER ROAD

No other set details known. There were only a couple of poor turnouts during the entire 1975 leg of the //Born To Run// tour - and this was one of them. Although Springsteen had by this point made a solid impact in the major cities along the west coast, he was still not well known in regional areas. The following day's Sacramento Union newspaper reported only 600 of the venue's 2,500 tickets were sold.

Jonathan's recollections: //"In October 1975 I was stationed at Travis Air Force Base In Fairfield, California about 45 minutes down the road (Route 80) from Sacramento. Bruce had just made the cover of Time. Unexpectedly my flight mission overseas had been cancelled and I talked my then wife (who knew nothing of Bruce) into going to see Springsteen. We arrived just before show time and figured we would have to buy tickets from scalpers if we could even get in. I was stunned to be able to buy third row floor seats at the auditorium kiosk. The reports said 600 tickets sold but I don't believe there were even 500 people actually there. (Ironically we came back the next week to see Fleetwood Mac and the place was all but sold out). Springsteen came out and spoke to the crowd. Springsteen said he would give us the same show as if the place were sold out. For the opening he sat on a metal chair and did a solo slow acoustic version of "Thunder Road". By my watch he played from about 7:40 until 12:15 AM. I don't remember the set list except he seemed to play extended versions of most of the album tunes and a couple I did not recognize. My wife was blown away not believing that one person could play that long."//


 * 1975-10-31 - PARAMOUNT THEATRE, OAKLAND, CA**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / KITTY'S BACK / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE / FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT / MEETING ACROSS THE RIVER / CAROL

No other set details known. Produced by Bill Graham, who acted as the evening's MC. At two-and-a-half hours one of the longest shows of the entire 1975-76 Born To Run Tour, courtesy of an extended, six-song encore section. Following the third encore Bill Graham came out and told the crowd the show was over. Seeing the roadies beginning to tear down, most of the crowd filed out. However after half the crowd had left the auditorium they heard wild cheering erupting back inside the hall and immediately turned around and went back - Bruce and the band were plugging in for more. Partial setlist above courtesy of the recollections of Jack Bogdanski - click the link above for a few photos from the show taken by Jack. The show got a none too complimentary review in the //San Francisco Chronicle//, although the reporter only managed to stay for the first twenty minutes. Reviews in the //Stanford Daily// and Los Medanos College's //Experience// were more positive, and add a few more songs to give us the very incomplete setlist above. The reviewer in the //Experience// refers to "a smouldering version of an old twisting song"; this is probably "Quarter To Three". "For You" is solo piano. The final encore include an unusual placing for "Meeting Across The River", and the final song, "Carol". Please get in touch if you can help us with the setlist.

It is understood that Bill Graham presented Bruce and the band with special T-shirts to celebrate both the sold-out concert and Springsteen's appearance on the front covers of //Time// and //Newsweek//. Fifty shirts depicting the cover of //Time// on the front and //Newsweek// on the back were delivered to the dressing room at the Paramount Theatre and handed out to the band and crew. One of these shirts appeared on an auction site in 2012.


 * 1975-11-01 - ROBERTSON GYMNASIUM, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA, CA**

THUNDER ROAD (5.25) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.21) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.04) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (18.29) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.59) / BORN TO RUN (start cut, 3.47) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.14) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (4.39) / BACKSTREETS (6.41) / KITTY'S BACK (cut, 12.56) / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT

Held in the school’s Robertson Gymnasium. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Spirit In The Night" includes the "Stagger Lee" introduction.

Audience tape, incomplete, missing the last four tracks, last two minutes of "Kitty's Back" has major pitch issues. Available on CDR 'That Thunder In Your Heart'. In September 2015 a 2nd Generation tape transfer was put into circulation via the DS Archives Volume 6 (mjk5510). This version is a big upgrade with the final two minutes of "Kitty's Back" pitch adjusted.


 * 1975-11-03 - GRADY GAMMAGE MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, TEMPE, AZ**

No set details known. Held in the school’s Gammage Auditorium. Opening night of a sellout three-night stand. Ticket demand in the Phoenix and Tempe area (where Bruce enjoyed a fanatical following) was such that Springsteen could have easily sold out two week’s worth of shows.


 * 1975-11-04 - GRADY GAMMAGE MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, TEMPE, AZ**

No set details known. Held in the school’s Gammage Auditorium.


 * 1975-11-06 - GRADY GAMMAGE MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY, TEMPE, AZ**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / PRETTY FLAMINGO / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / DETROIT MEDLEY / TWIST AND SHOUT

Held in the school’s Gammage Auditorium. One of the more memorable - and best - shows of the Born To Run Tour. There were phoned-in bomb threats received several hours before the start of this show - however, after some initial panic by organizers and the Springsteen camp, the police determined that the individuals making the threats had gotten their schedules mixed up - they’d been intended for controversial ex-Vietnam veteran Lieutenant William Calley’s speaking engagement in Gammage the previous night! Springsteen delivered a blistering show and worked the crowd into a complete frenzy, so much so that the large, humanity-packed balcony of Gammage began visibly swaying during the final stages of the concert. It was later reported that school officials had nearly decided to stop the show prematurely, although a post-concert engineering report gave the balcony a clean bill of health. Bruce refers to this incident when he returns to the same venue in 1996: "It's nice to be back at the Gammage... I seem to remember wrecking this place as a young man... yeah, something about the balcony, I don´t know... I´m sure they got it all fixed by now, fortunately..." He went on to suggest that those seated on the balcony refrain from too much dancing. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape (Unbooted).


 * 1975-11-10 - JAI ALAI FRONTON, TAMPA, FL**

THUNDER ROAD (5.06) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.41) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.22) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE (17.48) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.27) / BORN TO RUN (4.07) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.39) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.23) / BACKSTREETS (start cut, 5.00) / KITTY'S BACK (16.19) / JUNGLELAND (9.12) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (11.05) / DETROIT MEDLEY (6.48) / QUARTER TO THREE (cut, 6.47)

After a cancellation and a couple of “almost-but-not quite” bookings in 1973, this Tampa gig turned out to be Springsteen’s first ever performance in Florida (and Bruce can be heard acknowledging such to the audience). This show had originally been planned for November 9, but was bumped back a day, probably due to the West Coast itinerary. A sellout, with additional standing room only seats sold that day. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. See the articles linked above.

The above-mentioned setlist is taken from a circulating audience recording of good quality and represents the complete show. Available on CD 'Running Dry' (Party Line) and on CDRs 'And Jack Knife Cried' and '1001 American Nights' (Anubis).


 * 1975-11-11 - JAI ALAI FRONTON, MIAMI, FL**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / NIGHT / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / FOR YOU / CAROL / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE

Similar to the previous night show in Tampa but with "For You" and "Carol" included in the set. An article in the November 13 //Palm Beach Post// says that the show started an hour late due to a truck delivering the piano breaking down. However, the Miami News says the delay was due to an out-of-tune piano. Whatever the reason Bruce wasn't affected, playing for two hours and 40 minutes with three encores. A detailed review in //The Hurricane// (student newspaper of the University Of Miami) culminates in the incomplete setlist above. The review says that the setlist includes every song from //Born To Run// apart from "Meeting Across The River", as well as a unidentified 1950s rock & roll number when Springsteen's guitar shorts out. The set also includes a slow "The E Street Shuffle", along with a solo piano "For You". "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.

Circulating audio linked to this show is actually from the previous night’s gig in Tampa. This audio sometimes circulates as a straight duplication, other times with one or two tracks re-sequenced and with alternate between song editing. There is no circulating audio from this show. Disappointing turnout - about 30% of the seats remained unsold. The show was rescheduled several times - first arranged for October 14, then November 14, before finally ending up on November 11.


 * 1975-11-13 - NEW HAVEN VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM, NEW HAVEN, CT**

Springsteen (accompanied by girlfriend Karen Darvin) attends Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue gig (which included Joni Mitchell’s debut in the troupe). The Rolling Thunder Tour had begun on October 31. Also attending (like Bruce, as viewers only) were Patti Smith and John Prine. Dylan’s film crew was present and shooting backstage, but no footage of Springsteen has ever surfaced.


 * 1975-11-18 - HAMMERSMITH ODEON, LONDON, ENGLAND**

THUNDER ROAD (5.24) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.54) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (7.27) / **LOST IN THE FLOOD** (6.14) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.24) / BORN TO RUN (4.18) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (12.40) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.23) / BACKSTREETS (7.43) / KITTY'S BACK (17.11) / JUNGLELAND (9.46) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.16) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.52) / DETROIT MEDLEY (6.46) / FOR YOU (start slightly cut, 8.18) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.06)

Bruce's first ever appearance in Europe. An audience tape confirmed tour performance of "Lost In The Flood", last played in October 1974. However, the number of incomplete / unknown setlists around October and November 1975 mean it may not be the first time the song was actually performed. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. The introduction to "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines from Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee", although the official release credits them to Ahlert and Leslie's "The Moon Was Yellow (And The Night Was Young)", apparently mistakenly. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano. Bruce's first show outside North America was turbulent. Before the show Springsteen tore "Finally London is ready for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band" promotional posters from the walls - furious with the hype and publicity. The controversy clearly affected the performance as the DVD shows a somewhat sombre Springsteen, not the usual livewire. His mood is perhaps most evident in the introduction to "The E Street Shuffle". Normally a rambling tale, Bruce tails off after just a few sentences, going straight into the song. The show is still intense however, with outstanding versions of "Lost In The Flood" and "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City", amongst others.

Audience tape, soundboard (good quality but all the between song chat is cut so lacks atmosphere somewhat) and official CD/DVD release. Just days before the concert Mike Appel asked //Old Grey Whistle Test// producer Mike Appleton to film the show. Appleton recorded the concert with a BBC film crew. The initial plan was to use the footage for a television special, but the result was simply too dark. The first public sighting of this footage was a clip of "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" in the 1987 BBC //Glory Days// documentary. Eleven years later "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" was used in another BBC documentary, //A Secret History//, which was first broadcast in 1998 to promote the //Tracks// boxset. Soon after, an hour of mostly incomplete songs leaked into collectors' circles, including outstanding single camera black and white footage of "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City". The //Born To Run 30th Anniversary Edition// box set released in 2005 includes the complete show on DVD, restored from thirty-two reels of silent 16mm film and matched with multi-track audio. The reconstruction was painstaking, taking editor Thom Zimny over a year to complete. Subsequent to the box set, the audio was also released separately, on a two-CD set. Monty Python's Michael Palin was present at the show, and wrote about it extensively in his diaries. It is also known that this show was initially going to be broadcast over the radio (either live or delayed) but Mike Appel backed out at the last minute (the day of the show) as he felt that Bruce's mood at the time would not lead to a particularly good show.


 * 1975-11-21 - KONSERTHUSET, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY (cut) / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

Bruce's first ever appearance in Sweden. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. A fan present is certain that the last song performed was "For You", but a Finnish newspaper review from 1975 (from music magazine //Soundi//) says last three tracks are as shown above.

Audience tape (incomplete), released on CDR 'Stoccolma 75'. The tape cuts during "Detroit Medley", and does not include the final two songs listed above.


 * 1975-11-23 - RAI AMSTERDAM, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS**

THUNDER ROAD (4.53) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.13) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (5.46) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (5.30) / SHE'S THE ONE (4.40) / BORN TO RUN (3.44) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (14.10) / BACKSTREETS (6.32) / KITTY'S BACK (14.33) / JUNGLELAND (8.19) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (8.24) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (5.50) / DETROIT MEDLEY (5.50) / FOR YOU (7.10) / QUARTER TO THREE / CAROL (5.49)

Bruce's first ever appearance in the Netherlands. European debut of "Carol". "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano.

Audience tape (Hansdevente) available on LP 'For Those Who Weren't There That Night' (runs slightly fast), CD 'Lost In The Flood' (Triangle) and CDR 'Somewhere In The Red Light Zone' which is a speed corrected version of the Triangle CD.


 * 1975-11-24 - HAMMERSMITH ODEON, LONDON, ENGLAND**

THUNDER ROAD (5.33) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.40) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.50) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (6.11) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.40) / BORN TO RUN (4.10) / GROWIN' UP (3.08) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (cut, 4.45) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (11.09) / BACKSTREETS (7.05) / SHA-LA-LA (2.44) / JUNGLELAND (9.23) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (cut, 10.14) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.34) / **WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK** (2.16) / DETROIT MEDLEY (8.11) / FOR YOU (7.49) / WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM (3.11) / QUARTER TO THREE (4.50) / TWIST AND SHOUT / CAROL / LITTLE QUEENIE

Bruce's triumphant return to London is a completely different affair to his November 18 concert, an excellent performance with several extra encores including first tour appearance of Elvis's "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck". European debuts of "Growin' Up", "Pretty Flamingo", "Sha-La-La", "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", "When You Walk In The Room", "Twist And Shout", and "Little Queenie", and first ever performance in England of "Carol". Third and final "Little Queenie" for the tour, not to be played again until 1999 in Philadelphia. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano.

Soundboard and audience tape. The soundboard is missing "Thunder Road" and "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City". This show was not filmed and the "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" cut previously listed as being from this show and shown on the BBC documentary //Glory Days// is from the show on November 18. The soundboard recording is on CD releases 'Shit Hot And Rockin'' & 'London Calling', with the two missing tracks (see above) replaced with an audience recording. A recent auction piece (2002) confirms that the tapes, at least in part were made officially by Laurel Canyon with two reels surfacing containing "Thunder Road", "Lost In The Flood", "Growin’ Up", "Sha-La-La", "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)", Detroit Medley" and "Walk In The Room". It is assumed that the tracks all come from this show. Another set of Record plant tape reels labelled 'England' and bearing the date 02-13-76 are also known - again it is assumed these are from this show and are soundboard recordings. Also available on CDR from Ed Sciaky's tapes in upgraded audio quality, however "Thunder Road" and "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" are still missing.


 * 1975-12-02 - MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA**

THUNDER ROAD (5.09) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.41) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.37) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (5.56) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.23) / BORN TO RUN (4.05) / THE E STREET SHUFFLE - HAVING A PARTY (13.30) / GROWIN' UP (2.46) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.51) / BACKSTREETS (7.22) / KITTY'S BACK (17.41) / JUNGLELAND (9.15) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.23) / **SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN** (4.10) / DETROIT MEDLEY (7.08) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.29) / **PARTY LIGHTS** (3.10) / QUARTER TO THREE (7.36)

Show includes the first known live performance of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" since December 1973 - and it’s the earliest rendition that is audio-circulating. There’s also one of only two known performances of Claudine Clark's 1962 hit "Party Lights". "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. The introduction to "Spirit In The Night" includes the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection.

Audience tape of above average quality for its era available on CDR 'Party Lights'. Also can be found as an audience tape sourced from Steve Hopkins' master tapes (released by JEMS).


 * 1975-12-03 - MUSIC HALL, BOSTON, MA**

THUNDER ROAD (5.20) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.42) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.31) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (6.10) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.37) / BORN TO RUN (4.11) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (10.01) / GROWIN' UP (2.51) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.48) / BACKSTREETS (7.06) / KITTY'S BACK (19.18) / JUNGLELAND (9.14) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (9.51) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.37) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN (4.29) / DETROIT MEDLEY (7.34) / FOR YOU (7.49) / QUARTER TO THREE (7.39)

Second night in Boston includes an epic near-20-minute "Kitty's Back", "Pretty Flamingo" replacing "The E Street Shuffle" and a magnificent solo piano "For You" in the encores. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes the "Come A Little Bit Closer" introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" features an accordion solo before the track starts.

Audience tape (Unbooted). Two recording sources circulate, available in excellent quality from Steve Hopkins' master tapes. A second source recorded in the balcony also circulates. Available on CDRs 'Boston 75' and upgraded from Steve Hopkins' masters titled 'Close Encounter'. This version features none of the cuts present in the previously circulating sources. Steve Hopkins' recording notes explains the choice of title: "You'll hear some crowd commotion during the slow final verse of "Spirit In The Night" ('Hazy Davy got really hurt…'). Here's what happened. I was recording from the second row center with my deck in a briefcase under my seat and holding the mic at head level, as high as possible without being obvious. As the song slows, the lights go down and Bruce jumps down from the stage into the orchestra pit and out of sight. There's seating there now, but in 1975 there was an actual 'pit' between the stage and the audience. As the song continues, he peers up over the edge of the pit, locks eyes with the girl sitting next to me, continues singing and approaches her, climbs over the people in the front row and sits down in her lap, now singing directly to her. Then he proceeds to sprawl out, completely flat on his back, spread across four of us in that row, so that his head is actually in my lap, his mic and my mic are no more than a foot or two apart as he continues singing. All this time, the spot light is following him and on us, so I've lowered my mic under my seat, out of sight, but still recording, thinking security would be on me at any minute. And then, as quickly as it happened, he was gone and bounded back onto the stage to finish the song."


 * 1975-12-05 - RADIO STATION WHFS-FM, BETHESDA, MD**

WHFS XMAS MESSAGE #1 / WHFS XMAS MESSAGE #2

Bruce, along with Clarence, Steve and what sounds like the entire E Street Band record two brief 'Christmas Greetings' promotional spots for the station.

Both are available on the boot CD 'Bound For Glory' (Flamingo).


 * 1975-12-05 - McDONOUGH ARENA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC**

THUNDER ROAD (4.59) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.47) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.40) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (6.14) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.25) / BORN TO RUN (4.18) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (9.45) / GROWIN' UP (cut, 2.25) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (6.21) / BACKSTREETS (7.17) / KITTY'S BACK (19.02) / JUNGLELAND (9.17) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.13) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.26) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN (4.11) / DETROIT MEDLEY (8:20) / FOR YOU (7.56) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.48)

"Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano.

Audience tape available on CDR 'Georgetown Is Rockin' Tonight' (tape warp on "Thunder Road"). Some versions circulate incomplete missing the last three songs, a 2013 tape transfer contains all songs and does not have the tape warp listed above (mjk5510). A further low generation upgrade was released as part of the "DS Archives Volume 8" (mjk5510).


 * 1975-12-06 - McDONOUGH ARENA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK

"Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.

Audience tape. Incomplete setlist from known tape recording. Available on CDR 'Washington 75'.


 * 1975-12-07 - McDONOUGH ARENA, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC**

BORN TO RUN / THUNDER ROAD / KITTY'S BACK / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / SHA-LA-LA

No full details known. Fan present at this show reports that "He played many of the songs listed from the nights before, including "Born to Run", "Thunder Road", and "Kitty's Back", but it was a few weeks before Christmas and he also played "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town". I was not aware that he ever played that and I remember the crowd going absolutely crazy". "Thunder Road" is almost certainly the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.


 * 1975-12-10 - DAVIS GYM, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY, LEWISBURG, PA**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE’S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / THE E STREET SHUFFLE / BACKSTREETS / KITTY’S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

A then-member of the school’s concert committee has told Brucebase: “We were incredibly lucky. We signed the contract with Springsteen’s management in early September, just as his new album hit the shops, but before it climbed in the charts, we got him for just a couple of grand, but if we’d waited a few weeks the price would have been maybe 10 times that and way out of our budget range. The old Davis Gym had a 2,200 capacity but the way Springsteen’s crew demanded the set-up meant we only had about 1,800 tickets available. We did all this pre-promotion that ended up being totally unnecessary. It was the first time I ever witnessed scalping. It was a massive night around campus - pre and post concert parties everywhere. The buzz lasted for a week”. The above-mentioned partial setlist (it’s missing two or three songs) is from the recollection of Brucebase reader (and show attendee) Keith, who also noted that “Meeting Across The River” may have been performed. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals.

No circulating audio.


 * 1975-12-11 - WALSH AUDITORIUM, SETON HALL UNIVERSITY, SOUTH ORANGE, NJ**

THUNDER ROAD (5.11) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.43) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.12) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (6.14) / SHE'S THE ONE (6.12) / BORN TO RUN (4.02) / PRETTY FLAMINGO (cut, 10.59) / GROWIN' UP (2.47) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (5.43) / BACKSTREETS (7.07) / KITTY'S BACK (17.20) / JUNGLELAND (8.44) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.36) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.09) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN (4.07) / DETROIT MEDLEY (cut, 7.15) / FOR YOU (7.52) / PARTY LIGHTS (3.15) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.15) / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK (2.07) / TWIST AND SHOUT (cut, 3.44)

Set includes last known "Party Lights" (one of only two known versions). "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is the solo piano version.

Audience tape. Low level with hiss predominant. Available on CDR 'Party Lights At Seton Hall' (Fanatic) from the Kivak master cassettes, in improved quality.


 * 1975-12-12 - POST DOME, C.W. POST COLLEGE, GREENVALE, NY**

Soundcheck: MOUNTAIN OF LOVE - SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / FUNKY BROADWAY / WEDDING BELLS / NEEDLES AND PINS / YOU REALLY GOT ME / CRY TO ME

THUNDER ROAD (4.58) / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT (3.26) / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT (6.00) / LOST IN THE FLOOD (5.59) / SHE'S THE ONE (5.20) / BORN TO RUN (3.50) / **IT'S MY LIFE** (4.46) / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY (edited, 3.21) / BACKSTREETS (7.03) / KITTY'S BACK (16.43) / JUNGLELAND (8.35) / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) (10.44) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) (6.28) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN (4.14) / DETROIT MEDLEY (7.44) / FOR YOU (8.02) / SHA-LA-LA (2.38) / QUARTER TO THREE (6.18)

First known version of The Animals' "It's My Life". In the 1987 BBC documentary //Glory Days//, Max Weinberg spoke about the premiere of "It's My Life" when he was asked if Bruce had ever launched into a song without telling the band what he was going to play. Max said that the band had never rehearsed the song before playing it in concert, but fortunately they all knew it. This is the concert that the official "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" was recorded at, and the resulting recording is now on heavy rotation on radio every Christmas. In fact, the entire show was professionally recorded (along with several other shows in December) under the guidance of Jimmy Iovine as part of a plan to release a live album. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. Danny and Roy play a polka on accordion before "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)". Great show. Note to collectors - some tapes circulate with "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" missing. The show started late due to weather conditions - heavy snow resulted in heavy traffic on Long Island. The 'Roy Rogers' that Bruce mentions in the introduction to "She's The One" is (was) a fast food hamburger joint down the road from the College. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet from "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection, as well as Roy playing a snippet of "Hernando's Hideaway". "For You" is solo piano.

Soundcheck available from an audience tape (Unbooted). Audience tape of the concert available on CDRs (Unbooted) and 'It's My Life' (Fanatic), which is a transfer from the master cassettes. A Brucebase reader says he met Ed Sciaky after the show, who told him that "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" had been recorded for the radio.


 * 1975-12-16 - LAKER HALL GYM, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, OSWEGO, NY**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

Held in the sold-out 3,500-seat Laker Hall. Following Springsteen’s simultaneous Time and Newsweek cover stories the demand from northeastern U.S. Colleges and Universities to procure Bruce’s services increased significantly. In a hotly contested bidding war State University of New York beat out rival Syracuse University for the right to hold this concert. According to newspaper coverage (click the link above to read) Springsteen received $15,000 for his night's work. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet from "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano.

Audience tape, two recording sources circulate. The first was released on 'Pretty Oswego' and a second low gen source was released as 'Prettier Oswego' (ER Archives Volume 2 via JEMS) and is a substantial upgrade.


 * 1975-12-17 - KLEINHANS MUSIC HALL, BUFFALO, NY**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

Despite newspaper reports to the contrary, the show does not feature a unique performance of "Here Comes Santa Claus", a cover of the early 60s Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans / Phil Spector-produced hit; instead the tape confirms the expected performance of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town." This song was immediately followed by Santa making a surprise appearance onstage, clowning around with Bruce, and handing out toy instruments as gifts to the band. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. During "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)", which includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection, Bruce changes the lyrics to "I want to Kung-Fu ya, sock it to ya, I wanna be your man." "For You" is solo piano.

Audience tape, which entered circulation in 2012 via JEMS and the ER Archives. "Quarter to Three" is the presumed show closer, but not present on the tape.


 * 1975-12-19 - THÉÂTRE MAISONNEUVE, MONTREAL, QC**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

Bruce's first ever appearance in Canada. Setlist provided by Montreal radio station CHOM 97.7 - there is no known audio. Click the link above to read an uncomplimentary review from the //Montreal Gazette//. include component="page" page="content_help_us" wrap="1"


 * 1975-12-20 - NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE, OTTAWA, ON**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

Bruce's first ever appearance in Ontario. Previous information suggested that there was a delay to the start of the show, but it is now understood that the show began on time with Bruce playing "Thunder Road" accompanied only by Roy Bittan, and continued as normal with the rest of the band taking the stage for "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out". The 17-song set above represents the complete show, and is supplied by Dave. "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" includes Clarence receiving a toy saxophone, and Bruce commenting "Santa, still getting by on that cheap shit". He later introduces "Detroit Medley" with "Meanwhile back in Detroit, where Santa never goes, because he's afraid of getting mugged..." First confirmed performances in Canada of all seventeen songs played tonight, however it's likely the majority (if not all) were played the previous evening in Montreal.

Audio exists, but is not known to circulate.


 * 1975-12-21 - SENECA FIELD HOUSE, SENECA COLLEGE, TORONTO, ON**

THUNDER ROAD / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN / DETROIT MEDLEY / FOR YOU / QUARTER TO THREE

This show was originally scheduled for Seneca College’s 1,000-seat Minkler Auditorium but due to ticket demand was moved to nearby University Of Toronto’s 2,000-seat Convocation Hall, then switched yet again to Seneca’s larger, 3,000-seat Field House. The various promotional memorabilia (link above) tells the venue story. The above-mentioned 17-song setlist is the complete show. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "For You" is solo piano. The original taper did not record "Born To Run" and "Pretty Flamingo" or the end and beginning of the songs immediately before and after it.

Audience tape. The entire show was professionally recorded (along with several other shows in December) under the guidance of Jimmy Iovine as part of a plan to release a live album. No part of this recording has been heard in public. A reasonable quality audience recording of nearly the entire show is available on 'Bring Out The Hype', a boot that gets its title from a remark heard in the crowd prior to the start of the show. A low generation upgrade of excellent quality is available as Volume 11 of the 'DS Archives' (mjk5510).


 * 1975-12-26 - BOTTOM LINE, NEW YORK CITY, NY**

GLORIA

Bruce turns up for the late show on opening night of Patti Smith's three-night (seven-show) residency at the club. Apparently Bruce is among a group of people (including Creem Magazine founder Lester Bangs) that congregate off-spotlight and supply the background chorus on “Gloria”. This is the first of three low-key guest appearances at Patti Smith shows that Bruce will make over the ensuing 24 months (see November 26, 1976 and December 30, 1977 listings).


 * 1975-12-27 - TOWER THEATER, UPPER DARBY, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / LOST IN THE FLOOD / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / IT'S MY LIFE / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / KITTY'S BACK / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / THUNDER ROAD / QUARTER TO THREE / FOR YOU / **BACK IN THE U.S.A.** / TWIST AND SHOUT

Second appearance of "It's My Life" and the last full-band "Lost In The Flood" until the Reunion tour. Last "Kitty's Back" until 1978 and the last E Street Band "Back In The U.S.A." Bruce sings the opening lines of Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" as an introduction to "Spirit In The Night". "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals, and "For You" is the solo piano version.

Audience tape of good quality.


 * 1975-12-28 - TOWER THEATER, UPPER DARBY, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82ND STREET? / IT'S MY LIFE / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / SHA-LA-LA / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / THUNDER ROAD / QUARTER TO THREE / FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT

Set opens with a slowed "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out". Last known "Sha-La-La" until August 19, 2009 in Hartford, CT. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "For You" is solo piano. "Twist And Shout" includes "Killer Joe".

Soundboard tape. CD release 'Sha La La' (Papillon). A recent upgraded soundboard tape to circulate includes "Quarter To Three" which is not on previously circulated versions. It is also of significantly better quality.


 * 1975-12-30 - RADIO STATION WMMR-FM, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

Bruce, Miami Steve, Garry, and Danny (and probably Roy too) pay DJ Ed Sciaky an afternoon visit and spend a half hour as Ed's "guest" DJs, spinning some of their favorite platters by the likes of The Drifters, Sam & Dave, Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Them. Ed mentioned during the program that the following night's show (December 31) at the Tower Theater is going to be recorded for "broadcast sometime in the future". We now know that Mike Appel recorded most of the December 1975 shows for possible use on a planned 1976 multi-disc live LP release that never eventuated.

A 35-minute segment of this audio circulates.


 * 1975-12-30 - TOWER THEATER, UPPER DARBY, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82ND STREET? / IT'S MY LIFE / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / IT'S GONNA WORK OUT FINE / GROWIN' UP / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / **MOUNTAIN OF LOVE** / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / THUNDER ROAD / WEAR MY RING AROUND YOUR NECK / QUARTER TO THREE / FOR YOU / TWIST AND SHOUT

Set includes the first "Mountain Of Love" of the tour, last played at Widener College back in February. Miami Steve disappeared from the stage sometime after "It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City" and didn't return. He had the flu. "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" is the slow version, also played at the Tower Theater two days previous. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "For You" is the solo piano version. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. "Twist And Shout" includes "Killer Joe".

Soundboard sourced but suffers from over-recording in parts. Released on CD 'Teardrops On The Tower'. A more recent soundboard upgrade tape has now circulated which has "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" in a different location and includes the final two tracks not on other releases.


 * 1975-12-31 - TOWER THEATER, UPPER DARBY, PHILADELPHIA, PA**

NIGHT / TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT / SPIRIT IN THE NIGHT / DOES THIS BUS STOP AT 82ND STREET? / IT'S MY LIFE / SHE'S THE ONE / BORN TO RUN / PRETTY FLAMINGO / IT'S HARD TO BE A SAINT IN THE CITY / BACKSTREETS / MOUNTAIN OF LOVE / JUNGLELAND / ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT) / 4TH OF JULY, ASBURY PARK (SANDY) / DETROIT MEDLEY / QUARTER TO THREE / THUNDER ROAD / TWIST AND SHOUT

Final slow version of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" until the re-arranged solo piano performances at the 1990 Christic Institute shows. Last known "Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street?" until 1993 in Red Bank and last "Mountain Of Love" until 2008 in St. Louis. "Thunder Road" is the slow version with Roy on piano and Bruce on harmonica and vocals. "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" includes a lengthy mariachi-style introduction and a snippet of "Theme From Shaft" in the midsection. Steven Van Zandt leaves the stage sometime before the last three songs of the encore, as Bruce alludes to in his introduction to "Quarter To Three". Steve may have still been feeling the affects of the 'flu that also forced him off stage the previous night.

include component="page" wikiName="brucebase" page="Content_Live_Downloadsc" Soundboard and audience tapes. The entire show (and potentially the entire Philadelphia stand) was professionally recorded (along with several other shows in December) under the guidance of Jimmy Iovine as part of a plan to release a live album. In February 2015 this was the third in a series of archive shows to be officially released and made available for purchase at live.brucespringsteen.net. The recording was mixed from the multitrack reels in January 2015 by Toby Scott and mastered by Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering. It is available for download in various formats including 24 bit 192kHz high definition FLAC. Previously, a single CD of mixdowns created in 1976 from a 16-track recording of the show circulated which features nine tracks of the eighteen-song set, released as 'The Uber Series Vol 33', remastered as 'Last Tango In Philly' (Ev2) and issued on CDRs 'Dance On Little Sister' (Anubis Records) and 'Philadelphia 1975' (Wet Dreams Records). The complete soundboard recording is available on CD 'Teardrops On The Tower'. An alternative soundboard tape also circulates which does not include "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" and both "Detroit Medley" and "Thunder Road" are clipped at the start. The official //Wings For Wheels// documentary DVD contains great black-and-white footage of the slow "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" (filmed by early Springsteen fan Barry Rebo), which has been attributed to one of the two Tower Theater shows by an experienced video collector. Subsequently, "Born To Run" from this show was shown by Thom Zimny at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame discussion in June 2009, and "Mountain Of Love" at "An Evening With Thom Zimny" at Monmouth University on September 23, 2014. This footage was in color with excellent audio.

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